Hundreds of bucks on grog, but not a cent for security!
Another party went feral last week. This time in the well-heeled Melbourne suburb of Kew.
The host parent had called me earlier, but baulked at my $500 quote for full event security.
When I sent one of my staff to watch the night go off the rails, he saw plenty more than $500 worth of booze in play.
This sure makes me wonder about people’s priorities.
So easily avoided
Here’s part of what the host parent wrote to me when declining my services:
‘I have taken on board what you advised and enlisted at least 10 parents help, mainly fathers. So I’m sending up a prayer and hoping for the best this time.’
I replied:
‘Hopefully your neighbours and the Police will understand when it impacts them. Parents are not covered by any sort of insurance if you have a problem with gatecrashers or intoxication. I suggest you will have problems in both these areas.’
‘Hopes and prayers’ indeed!
As it turned out, ‘security’ on the night was a young woman and her boyfriend drinking wine as they checked names off at the door!
By 9 pm, exactly as I predicted, the place was riddled with gatecrashers – hanging round in hostile groups and jumping fences to get in.
Three police call-outs and one drunk, unconscious boy later, I wonder if the parent regretted her decision not to heed my warnings.
$500 could have prevented all this drama and danger.
I ask you: how much is peace of mind (and perhaps a young life) worth?!
Bearing witness
I occasionally send my staff to observe the public impact of parties I consider at risk for failing to take my safety and duty-of-care advice.
The evidence we collect is used to support our push for safe event laws.
The Kew party is now just another statistic.
The sadder fact is, I know it’s only a matter of time until we witness another party-related injury.
Or death.
Naomi Oakley, Founder, Safe Partying Australia.
