A client rang me yesterday extremely distressed. Reluctantly, she helped out, at an 18th birthday party a few weeks ago, and was confronted with a young girl that had been permitted to enter a party via inexperienced security members. The young female guest immediately collapsed within the home. The young girl was with a group of teenagers that were also drunk and permitted entry.
The teenage girl was throwing up into the kitchen sink, within the surrounds of a beautiful selection of food . The young girl had then passed out at the back of the home.
As the parents franticly called the ambulance, the male security guard decided to venture down the back and make the unhelpful comment,
“Don’t call the ambulance!” without even assessing the female!!
Amazingly the crowd controller did not have any security number displayed and in her words they looked like a couple of ‘bikers’!!
The ambulance finally arrived and the teenager was conveyed to hospital. Her friends were left traumatised and left the party as well.
The mother/host of this event had gone to all the trouble of having a beautiful cake, providing a large marquee within the mansion’s gardens, having exceptional food, having the best DJ, providing a magical bar area with reasonably qualified bar staff, but did skimp on security. The host decided to use the cheaper option to save a few $$. My client did try and encourage the host to give me a call prior to the event. This didn’t happen !!
Why do parents think of security as a last option? Having professional experienced security can make or break your event. Security should be as important as the DJ!
That same night two families (two locations) had decided to supply alcoholic drinks (pre drinks) for the teenagers that were attending the above party where alcohol was already supplied. The paramedics were also called to one of these homes for a teenager that had alcohol poisoning. That teenager was also conveyed to hospital.
Why do we need pre drinks when alcohol is supplied? How did the parents allow them to drink so much? Why wasn’t someone responsible ( RSA) managing the bar ?
Having Professional Experienced Party Security assigned via a company is extremely important.
The process via U-nome Security is pretty straight forward. If the guests are visibly intoxicated they are seated and assessed. At this point the host is called and parents are contacted. Once these kids enter your home they become your responsibility and your liability.
Backyard security operators do not have any insurance. They work at these events to get some quick cash. They are cheaper then professional companies because they don’t pay any overheads. Similar to UBER!
Please read this article on booze. Sadly this is of no surprise to me. Read more
