I got a tip around midnight Friday about the ruckus at Plainfield's YWCA as cops had to call in reinforcements to break up brawling that had broken out among attendees at a teen party.
First, let me say I don't think any onus should fall on the YWCA if they were not the sponsors of the event.
It is quite understandable for nonprofits to look for additional sources of income in difficult economic times, which these most certainly are. And renting out space is one of the avenues that an organization that has it will naturally turn to.
I know. My parish church (Grace Episcopal) has for years rented its parish hall and chapel to various groups -- both for religious services and for events -- not always to happy effect. There have been problems with religious groups paying the agreed-upon amounts, and with social events at which organizers either let things get out of hand (fights) or tried to pull a fast one (serving booze without authorization). In any case, the church was at the mercy of variables beyond its control.
That may be the case at the YWCA, and they may have to tighten up.
But the questions that come to mind have more to do with THE PUBLIC'S SAFETY and who is watching out for it than with any YWCA culpability in the fracas.
First in line is the NUMBER OF ATTENDEES. My tip only said 'large numbers'. But both the Ledger and the Courier stories cite 'three hundred to four hundred' attendees spilling out into the street. Now, that's a lot of people for that building.
Being familiar with the facilities, I wondered where the party was being held. Was it in the second-floor theater space? Or was it in the Terrace Room, which opens through French doors onto the terrace outside the main entrance?
In either case, a crowd that size seems excessive -- and certainly WAY OVER THE LIMIT ALLOWED for the Terrace Room.
Why didn't the police on duty summon the Fire Division to determine if there was overcrowding?
(I was at an event once for School Board candidates at the Questover mansion -- back in the days when BOE elections were nonpartisan -- which was summarily shut down by the authorities in mid-wine-sip, as it were, so I know they CAN DO IT if they have a mind to.)
And what about the organizer(s) of the event?
Didn't they have to declare an approximate number of attendees when they contracted for the off-duty police officers?
Shouldn't they face a citation if they knowingly overcrowded the facility?
And a fine? And perhaps disgorgement of some of the proceeds if they were charging attendees to get in?
Whether or not Director Hellwig moves to get to the bottom of some of these issues, you can be sure there is one black eye after the melée that is neither welcome nor needed -- the YWCA's.
- Plainfield Today (Sat): "Melée at YWCA"
- Ledger (Sun): "Huge brawl injures Plainfield police officer"
- Courier (Mon): "Teens caught in fight outside YWCA"
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3 comments:
Another question you might want to raise, is why police were working an event that was never issud a permit from the Clerks office. Why did they not get a Permit you ask? Because the Y was unable to get a CO to conduct such parties. Now we see why!
This is a very troubling story. In checking through your "CLIPS" events list, I see that the mayor still plans on showing the ultra-violent "Fast and the Furious" at the outdoor movie on Friday evening. I know that many people have complained about the offensiveness of showing a violent, profanity-laden movie about drag racing as a "family" oriented film. In the wake of the fatal auto accident last month, and in the wake of the violence at the YWCA, where is the wisdom in showing such a film when they can't control who comes? Also, why would they tell me I could bring kids to this violent film? Is this a good use of MY TAX DOLLARS? Why not show a truly kid-friendly film? Has the mayor stated her justification for showing this violent movie?
It should be noted that all places of public assembly were measured for square footage and the allowed occupancy by the Plfd Fire Div.. Each site was posted in accordance with National Fire Protection Assoc. rulings. Perhaps with the changing of administrations in the city and it's departments, this may be all out of the window as are a few other former city requirements. The sponsoring authorities should be held responsible to insure all regulations are followed. A society without rules leads to chaos!
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