News (Media Awareness Project) - CN AB: First Regulated All-Night Rave Incident-Free |
| Title: | CN AB: First Regulated All-Night Rave Incident-Free |
| Published On: | 2000-08-21 |
| Source: | Calgary Herald (CN AB) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-03 11:48:00 |
FIRST REGULATED ALL-NIGHT RAVE INCIDENT-FREE
Calgary's first sanctioned rave went off without a major hitch Sunday morning, but promoters and aldermen say it's too early to dub a new city bylaw a success.
The all-night party at Max Bell Centre drew 2,500 partiers, and city police said there were no reports of violence, drug use or other criminal activity.
Emergency Medical Services was not called to any emergencies.
A new city council bylaw, passed July 3, requires raves with more than 250 people to be licensed and booked 45 days in advance. The 45-day period allows police to review plans for the event and do background checks on the organizers.
Rave promoters must also provide plans to address security, emergency medical personnel and noise.
"It certainly shows the first crack at it works," Ald. Sue Higgins said Sunday.
"It's not until it's been in action for a year or so that you get a real handle on whether it's working or whether it's not," Higgins said.
Ald. John Schmal said time will tell whether the bylaw is a good one.
"We'll have to wait for the next one and if it's positive again, then obviously we've achieved what we set out to do," he said.
However, Schmal who in the past suggested a ban on raves, said he would press for a moratorium if new complaints arise.
"Most of the ones held before this, they were quite negative. If they can't make improvements, then I would definitely go for a ban."
Rave promoter Andrew Moffat agreed more time is needed to test the new restrictions.
"The bylaw is a good thing in a lot of ways but I don't think one party having no incidents mean the bylaw is working," Moffat, who has organized four raves this year.
"If a lot of parties go off and none of them get shut down and there are no incidents at any of them, maybe that's a sign."
Moffat said he generally favours the new bylaw. "It seems reasonable for now."
Organizers of the rave, which ran from Saturday at 9 p.m. to Sunday at 7:30 a.m., hired four city police officers, 30 security guards, eight St.John's Ambulance attendants and one Emergency Medical Services member for the event.
Sgt. Dave Ellement, of District 4, said the bylaw seem's to be effective.
"I'm sure that's an appropriate response to the previous problems," said Ellement.
"At this point, if it continues like it is, I have no concerns (about raves).
Dave Buxton, of Emergency Medical Services, said there were no major medical incidents and no reported illnesses associated with drug use.
In the past several years, raves have attracted a bad reputation across North America because of rampant drug use among participants, many of whom use ecstasy.
Also known as "E", the designer drug has become the amphetamine of choice for young people who want to party all night.
Calgary's first sanctioned rave went off without a major hitch Sunday morning, but promoters and aldermen say it's too early to dub a new city bylaw a success.
The all-night party at Max Bell Centre drew 2,500 partiers, and city police said there were no reports of violence, drug use or other criminal activity.
Emergency Medical Services was not called to any emergencies.
A new city council bylaw, passed July 3, requires raves with more than 250 people to be licensed and booked 45 days in advance. The 45-day period allows police to review plans for the event and do background checks on the organizers.
Rave promoters must also provide plans to address security, emergency medical personnel and noise.
"It certainly shows the first crack at it works," Ald. Sue Higgins said Sunday.
"It's not until it's been in action for a year or so that you get a real handle on whether it's working or whether it's not," Higgins said.
Ald. John Schmal said time will tell whether the bylaw is a good one.
"We'll have to wait for the next one and if it's positive again, then obviously we've achieved what we set out to do," he said.
However, Schmal who in the past suggested a ban on raves, said he would press for a moratorium if new complaints arise.
"Most of the ones held before this, they were quite negative. If they can't make improvements, then I would definitely go for a ban."
Rave promoter Andrew Moffat agreed more time is needed to test the new restrictions.
"The bylaw is a good thing in a lot of ways but I don't think one party having no incidents mean the bylaw is working," Moffat, who has organized four raves this year.
"If a lot of parties go off and none of them get shut down and there are no incidents at any of them, maybe that's a sign."
Moffat said he generally favours the new bylaw. "It seems reasonable for now."
Organizers of the rave, which ran from Saturday at 9 p.m. to Sunday at 7:30 a.m., hired four city police officers, 30 security guards, eight St.John's Ambulance attendants and one Emergency Medical Services member for the event.
Sgt. Dave Ellement, of District 4, said the bylaw seem's to be effective.
"I'm sure that's an appropriate response to the previous problems," said Ellement.
"At this point, if it continues like it is, I have no concerns (about raves).
Dave Buxton, of Emergency Medical Services, said there were no major medical incidents and no reported illnesses associated with drug use.
In the past several years, raves have attracted a bad reputation across North America because of rampant drug use among participants, many of whom use ecstasy.
Also known as "E", the designer drug has become the amphetamine of choice for young people who want to party all night.
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