The Roll-A-Dome is giving one more try to youth events. The building's owner and one event promoter are not going to let gang pressure stop all-ages entertainment without a struggle.
Building operator Al Work said the promoters who have recently rented the building for their shows have brought too much negative attention due to the organized crime members who showed up.
One such promoter is Chelsie Grobins of Where It's At Entertainment which brought the Swollen Members concert in this summer. That event turned into a showcase for gangs, brought a backlash from the public, and got a lot of police attention.
A second event this summer (not promoted by Grobins) also brought a gang element followed by a crackdown by authorities.
"If the police have to shut it down, there won't be no more, I'll have had enough," said Work. "These events want to be here (but) they are just renting the building. Chelsie asked me to do another show, I said no, but she is very persuasive. I have had a lot of discussions with the police and she has shown me her security plan, so we will give it a try, one last try."
"The Swollen Members show that I did, that did not turn out the way I expected," Grobins said. "I didn't know Swollen Members were going to act like that, it was a real eye-opener for me. It has definitely haunted me."
For her Halloween 2010 event on Saturday, featuring Canadian rap star Belly and an under-card of local acts, she will be allowing no alcohol, no entry to anyone suspected of being under the influence of any substances, there will be pat-downs (male and female lineups) at the door, no one who leaves is allowed back inside, bags will be searched, and outside smoking areas will be walled off. Highland Security will have a team of guards. First aid attendants will be on-site. The RCMP has an open invitation to enter and tour the event at any time.
Work wants the police and other public agencies to do even more. He suggested that Prince George Community Policing, for example, have an anti-gang information booth there. He suggested that the RCMP could have a gang expert stationed at the door to identify known organized crime associates for removal from the premises.
He also added some criticism of the way the police handled the previous event, saying they blew the issues out of proportion.
"The impression I got was, if they came in on that event and found all the kids kneeling in prayer, they were still going to shut 'er down," he said. "If you shut down all the safe environments, the gangs have won. The kids will still find their own ways to party, only it will be at a gravel pit or something and that's when the gangs have them where they want them. Things like that girl in the Lower Mainland (drugged, repeatedly raped, all filmed for the internet) are bound to happen more in that kind of situation. You're throwing the kids to the dogs."
Grobins agreed that security measures were important, that she had underestimated the growing gang element in Prince George but had learned from that, but "if we can't do shows, if people are scared to buy tickets, then the gangs have won."
Police speak up for good, clean fun
Prince George RCMP spokeswoman Const. Lesley Smith promoters, parents, police and participants shared responsibility in the safety and security of public events.
"We are aware that there will be future events at the Roll-A-Dome, at CN Centre, at school gymnasiums and other venues. We encourage fun events to be held in Prince George as long as there are safety precautions being met.
"It is vital that we have the proper security at any gathering, no matter what age, but especially with youth. But as parents and adult guardians we need to know about that event before allowing them to attend. The public needs to be aware that at these events, it is a prime opportunity for drug and alcohol involvement; it would be blind not to acknowledge that. If there is proper security and proper communication with your young adults and teens, and you have assurances that their choices are purely to have fun at these events, then it should be a successful evening.
"What comes with events is always that caution that undesirable people may be in attendance. The RCMP supports fun events and PG has had some great, proactive events, it was just the last two incidents that have been a concern, and the Roll-A-Dome and other venues have all learned from the mistakes there."
She said the RCMP would be attending this weekend's event looking to spot any public safety issues and contravention of the law.
