Parents Urged to Hire Teenage Party Security

PARENTS hosting underage parties need to stop being lazy and provide proper safety controls, a former policewoman has warned.
Naomi Oakley, who served with Victoria Police for more than a decade before starting her own party security business, has taken aim at parents for putting guests and emergency service personnel at risk by not providing a safe environment for partygoers.

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“Not having the proper controls in place means you are putting people … in harm’s way,” Ms Oakley said.

“Parents say they can’t afford it (security) but my argument is ‘don’t have a party’, particularly with about 100 people.

“That’s asking for trouble.”

Her calls come after a 16-year-old’s arrest at an out-of-control house party in Diamond Creek earlier this month. It’s alleged hundreds of youths, including gatecrashers, descended on the property where beer bottles were thrown and capsicum spray was used by police to subdue the louts.

According to the Victoria Police website, it’s important to register parties under the Partysafe program, so police can provide “timely assistance if things get out of hand”. But, due to the “dynamic nature” of police work, officers can’t guarantee they will check the progress of the party “as a matter of course”.

Damage to Scout Group

Ms Oakley said 16th birthday parties were the “most volatile” due to “preloaders and gatecrashes”, but police would not “babysit” parties.

“It all depends on resources … and it appears they’ve effectively pulled units from other areas to deal with the incident (in Diamond Creek), which is an absolute waste,” she said.

Mother of three Sheryl Thompson, from Greensborough, said she hosted a teenage party where 40 youths were invited.

It was registered with police and not publicised on social media, yet gatecrashers still turned up.

“Sometimes you can put all the necessary measures in place but the minority still ruin it for everyone,” Ms Thompson said.

UNDERAGE PARTY SECURITY TIPS

• Have a detailed guest list with visitors providing a hard-copy photo ID. It limits gatecrashers claiming to be someone they’re not.
• Provide a bag cloaking system to ensure alcohol isn’t smuggled in, including unsealed water bottles.
• Allow an hour for guests to arrive at the party before doors close. It minimises preloaders and gatecrashers.
• Have up to a dozen chairs outside the home for preloaders to be seated for 20 minutes. If their condition gets worse, call their parents.
• One parent should be present for every 15 children. Naomi Oakley suggests manning the toilets and handing out the food allows parents to observe guest behaviour without making the party goers feel watched.
• Notify local police you are hosting a party through the Victoria Police Partysafe Program. They won’t be able to “babysit” the party but it allows them to manage resources.

Source: Herald Sun