Police shut down teen party/provide extra security for teen dance
By Kyra Hoggan
Police are focussing efforts to curb underage drinking in Castlegar, after a party last weekend saw two teens arrested for public drunkenness, and a dance at the Element in December saw five teen arrests.
Castlegar RCMP Cpl. Deb Postnikoff said a house party in the 900 block of Lynnwood Cr. In the Oglow subdivision last Saturday drew as many as 150 teens – and not a few neighbourhood complaints.
“Police attended at around 9 p.m., and discovered there was not a single person there over the age of 18,” she said, adding there was, however, no similar lack of alcohol. “A substantial amount of liquor was seized.”
The homeowners and parents of the host were, at the time, out of town.
“There were two arrests for public drunkenness,” she said, adding the arrestees were 16 and 17 years old. One was left in the care of a legal guardian, while another was lodged in detachment cells until sober. “It took about two hours to disperse all the children.”
Those who were visibly intoxicated earned their parents some one-on-one face time with local police, while others were merely sent home with a warning. ‘
Postnikoff said social media factored significantly in the event.
“We’re told it (the party) was advertised on Facebook all week,” she said. “And the people who called in complaints were giving us a blow-by-blow as they followed what was being posted on Twitter.”
This, after a teen dance at the Element Night Club in December ended with five teen arrests for substance-related offences. To ensure the teen dance slated for Feb. 19th sees no such unfortunate misuse, police are working hand-in-hand with Element owner Florio Vassilakakis to provide extra security.
“Our uniformed members will be doing their usual patrols and check-ins, and we’ll have two additional officers working the line-up, then inside the club,” said RCMP Sgt. Laurel Mathew.
Mathew also encouraged parents to come down and check out the dance, which will run from 8 to 11 p.m. Only Grades 9 to 12 are permitted to attend, and there will be no alcohol displayed or served during that time.
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