First page: A.18 Section: Opinion
Publication date: Jan 27, 2012
Document type: Editorial
Credit: Edmonton Journal
City council is in the business of Edmonton and as such it has a man-date to act as a responsible promoter or at least an enabler of positive activity in the downtown core.
But the development and enrichment of the inner city takes on many forms, not all of which are politically palatable. Take, for instance, all-night dance parties, or raves as they are otherwise known. Council's executive committee decided Wednesday to repeal a provision in a city bylaw and in so doing allow promoters to obtain after-hours licences for dance parties that have also been licensed for alcohol sales.
A typical party begins at 8 p.m., alcohol is served perhaps until 1 a.m., partiers are given a grace period of another hour in which to consume their last drinks, and all alcohol is then removed from the premises and the dancing continues until 6 a.m.
It is expected that on Feb. 1 the full council will approve the committee's decision, which was made in direct opposition to recommendations from the Edmonton Police Service and the city's own administration and legal department. They all cited documented risks to health and safety stemming from the potentially dangerous mix of alcohol, illicit drug use, extended hours and a large crowd of revellers.
Committee members acknowledged the risks and put the onus on event promoters to minimize the potential for harm. That objective is clearly the crux of this issue - ensuring that after-hours parties do no more harm than similar social events that shut their doors at a more traditional time.
The rave promoters have been issued a licence to stay in their profit-able business and they had better recognize the need to invest a healthy percentage of that future revenue in comprehensive harm-reduction strategies, lest they invite council to change its mind. For instance, the current ratio of 12 special-duty police officers to as many as 5,000 partiers essentially invites trouble. That number should be doubled or perhaps tripled, an initiative that would cost promoters significant room on their margin but would be worth it in the long run.
Promoters should also invest time and money in spreading the message of responsible behaviour, and in particular they should work to alter the culture of their industry by disassociating electronic music with the use of drugs like ecstasy.
"Their audience might pay attention to them," said Shaw Conference Centre general manager Cliff Higuchi, who has an extensive working knowledge of the after-hours party scene, which he thinks has evolved in a positive direction.
"When these events first appeared on the scene a number of years ago, a number were held at community centres and warehouses. There were absolutely no controls on what happened at those events."
Today, the impetus is on promoters merely to beef up those controls by adding more police officers to the mix. Higuchi said that in addition to the promoter's police contingent, security personnel at his venue number about 70 for a typical after-hours party. He feels that's adequate.
Demanding action from the promoters on issues of public health and safety, as councillors have done, is reasonable, but in eschewing the recommendations of the EPS and their own administration by approving after-hours and liquor licences for the same event, our elected representatives are way out there on an island by themselves.
They are perhaps motivated by a desire to promote downtown vibrancy. There is an economic impact made by these parties - patronage of taxi companies, restaurants and public transit - beyond the money gleaned from the event by the promoter, the DJs, security personnel and the Shaw Conference Centre management.
There is also a wider, positive message sent by fostering the rave and electronic music culture. Committee members have bought into the idea that these events are largely good for the city. Indeed, their continued existence broadcasts a willingness to host entertainment events that are beyond the mainstream.
It would have been easy for councillors to simply rant against raves and allow the bylaw to stand, but they have chosen instead to believe in an industry that is fuelled by youthful enthusiasm. Provided that spirit is supported by adequate safety measures, it seems the wise choice.
Document type: Editorial
Credit: Edmonton Journal
City council is in the business of Edmonton and as such it has a man-date to act as a responsible promoter or at least an enabler of positive activity in the downtown core.
But the development and enrichment of the inner city takes on many forms, not all of which are politically palatable. Take, for instance, all-night dance parties, or raves as they are otherwise known. Council's executive committee decided Wednesday to repeal a provision in a city bylaw and in so doing allow promoters to obtain after-hours licences for dance parties that have also been licensed for alcohol sales.
A typical party begins at 8 p.m., alcohol is served perhaps until 1 a.m., partiers are given a grace period of another hour in which to consume their last drinks, and all alcohol is then removed from the premises and the dancing continues until 6 a.m.
It is expected that on Feb. 1 the full council will approve the committee's decision, which was made in direct opposition to recommendations from the Edmonton Police Service and the city's own administration and legal department. They all cited documented risks to health and safety stemming from the potentially dangerous mix of alcohol, illicit drug use, extended hours and a large crowd of revellers.
Committee members acknowledged the risks and put the onus on event promoters to minimize the potential for harm. That objective is clearly the crux of this issue - ensuring that after-hours parties do no more harm than similar social events that shut their doors at a more traditional time.
The rave promoters have been issued a licence to stay in their profit-able business and they had better recognize the need to invest a healthy percentage of that future revenue in comprehensive harm-reduction strategies, lest they invite council to change its mind. For instance, the current ratio of 12 special-duty police officers to as many as 5,000 partiers essentially invites trouble. That number should be doubled or perhaps tripled, an initiative that would cost promoters significant room on their margin but would be worth it in the long run.
Promoters should also invest time and money in spreading the message of responsible behaviour, and in particular they should work to alter the culture of their industry by disassociating electronic music with the use of drugs like ecstasy.
"Their audience might pay attention to them," said Shaw Conference Centre general manager Cliff Higuchi, who has an extensive working knowledge of the after-hours party scene, which he thinks has evolved in a positive direction.
"When these events first appeared on the scene a number of years ago, a number were held at community centres and warehouses. There were absolutely no controls on what happened at those events."
Today, the impetus is on promoters merely to beef up those controls by adding more police officers to the mix. Higuchi said that in addition to the promoter's police contingent, security personnel at his venue number about 70 for a typical after-hours party. He feels that's adequate.
Demanding action from the promoters on issues of public health and safety, as councillors have done, is reasonable, but in eschewing the recommendations of the EPS and their own administration by approving after-hours and liquor licences for the same event, our elected representatives are way out there on an island by themselves.
They are perhaps motivated by a desire to promote downtown vibrancy. There is an economic impact made by these parties - patronage of taxi companies, restaurants and public transit - beyond the money gleaned from the event by the promoter, the DJs, security personnel and the Shaw Conference Centre management.
There is also a wider, positive message sent by fostering the rave and electronic music culture. Committee members have bought into the idea that these events are largely good for the city. Indeed, their continued existence broadcasts a willingness to host entertainment events that are beyond the mainstream.
It would have been easy for councillors to simply rant against raves and allow the bylaw to stand, but they have chosen instead to believe in an industry that is fuelled by youthful enthusiasm. Provided that spirit is supported by adequate safety measures, it seems the wise choice.
No comments:
Post a Comment