Even the best party plans can be smashed.
Last Friday was the party from hell.
140 volatile 16 year olds in a tiny house.
With a pool!
From 8 to 10 pm, we seized 50 assorted alcohol containers that guests had strapped to themselves.
We were able to spot these on the boys, but the girls hid their booze under their skirts.
Fortunately, vigilant parents spotted them in the back yard.
At around 9 pm, we stopped a dozen gatecrashers from entering. We had Police presence at this time and it worked initially to move them on.
Next we removed two more gatecrashers who’d jumped in via the roof of a neighbour’s house!
By 10.45 pm, all the boys in the party wanted to fight each other.
The parents and I decided it was time to close the event.
With testosterone raging, 50 kids crammed in a hallway.
So we told Police what we were doing and asked them to help us diffuse a potential brawl.
Some of the Police kindly came in with us. We turned off the music and herded the guests out like sheep.
The car park across the road was full of hovering groups of teens. Some were from the party. Others had attached themselves to the thwarted gatecrashers.
I saw school-age kids abusing members of the public and even trying to hit Police.
About 40 minutes later, they’d gone.
This is a good example of a team effort with parents, police and my security staff.
I felt sorry for the parents, who’d done everything right.
They’d tried to hire a venue, but the operator didn’t want a teen event. This is a BIG issue. As I’ve explained to councils in my proposal, suburbs need safe, secure safe venues.
And even though we removed all the alcohol, no-one can control how people think when they’re at a party.
Most parties I look after are problem free. About 5% shut down to avoid injuries and property damage.
I also felt sorry for the neighbours, listening and watching.
I wrote to my client afterwards:
Dear X,
Would you be happy if I did a summary about your party via my blog and make it anonymous?
I just think it is important for councils to realise the importance of having designated public venues in municipalities.
I know in Sydney on Friday night a young boy was killed as a result of gatecrashers attending a house party.
I think if we had suitable venues for teen parties it would minimise a lot of the issues. This is part of my submission to council. Every now and then you get volatile parties. You can do everything right but you can never control the emotions on the night.
No one is at fault here but I do think it is important that we have teen-friendly venues in every municipality.
Let me know what you think.
I hope your daughter wasn’t too distressed!
Naomi.
My client replied:
Hi Naomi,
Thank you so much for Friday night. I don’t think my daughter minded too much that the party had to come to an abrupt end! In fact, I think she understood that continuing would have just been asking for trouble. She had a fun night and all her friends enjoyed themselves.
I’m so pleased we had zero tolerance on alcohol and I was adamant to my daughter that that would not change. Of course they all try to bring it in or arrive a bit tipsy but …
I have no problems for you to mention the party on your blog – anonymous would be good.
Thank you once again.
Kind regards, X.
Naomi Oakley, Managing Director, U-NOME Security Communication Specialists.
