Are Raves, Public Places a Good Mix?

The deaths of five young people on their way home from a rave party at an Angeles National Forest ski resort recently have unleashed a wave of criticism aimed at the U.S. Forest Service, which issued a permit for the event and reaped a 3% cut from the party’s ticket sales.

Some government and fire department officials, as well as parents, are questioning the appropriateness of allowing raves--all-night parties that offer loud music and flashing strobes, often accompanied by widespread drug use--to take place on public land.

DIANE WEDNER asked a former raver, a forest service supervisor and a parent of three whether government agencies should permit events such as raves to take place at remote, public venues.

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NINA WERMAN

Actress, Studio City

I started going to raves in my senior year of high school, in 1994, and continued in college in Boulder, Colo. Most of the participants took drugs, such as Ecstasy, mushrooms, acid, and a lot of speed to stay up all night.

It wasn’t that the rave was held in a national forest; the accident could have happened anywhere. I’d want to know how many drunk-driving accidents there were that night, among responsible adults, as opposed to post-rave fatalities. I worry most about raves being broken up by the police, sending the kids home before the drugs wear off.

I think that raves should be allowed to be held on public property, such as national forests, as long as the promoters are held to a contract that requires them to leave the land they’ve used just as they found it.

A government agency issuing a permit for a rave on public land is the same as allowing a national, name-brand beer company to sponsor a public event, such as a carnival or fair. It’s not any worse. Raves will take place no matter what. At least on public land the conditions will be more sanitary and safer.

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JEANINE DERBY

Forest supervisor, Los Padres National Forest

We all agree that what happened in Angeles National Forest was tragic, and we hope that we don’t provide the setting for this. The places [where raves take place] are often remote and don’t have good road conditions to get to and from the event.

Because groups are not always forthcoming about the objectives of their gatherings, I have instituted a policy in which I will not approve any event that requires any amplified music going from 10 p.m. to 8 a.m. We recently created this rule so that I can manage, but not cut out, every large gathering of people.

We’re now checking the Internet to see if there’s something being advertised that’s suspicious. Then we ask pointed questions about what they’re really gathering for.

I think the best way to control these events is to address the things that are not permissible, such as noise and illegal drug use. If these activities occur after the event starts, we send in law enforcement. They can shut the event down. We want to achieve a balance that allows people to have legitimate gatherings and enjoy themselves, but put constraints on behaviors that affect others’ safety and enjoyment.

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JUDY BUSH

Mother of three, ages 12, 18 and 22, Studio City

Government agencies should not permit raves to take place on public land. I’d have the same gut reaction if they were to be held on my own private property. I recognize the need to have control over what’s going on in my house, and I think that the government, whether federal or at the local level, should have control over what happens in their backyard. It is known that there’s drug and alcohol use at these events, so there is little control over what happens at the party and afterward. What are the legal ramifications? Who’s accountable? If we find out these kids were on drugs, is the ski resort responsible for their deaths? Or the government agency that issued the permit? At a private party, if kids leave your house drunk, then drive and kill someone, the homeowner is responsible.

If indeed illegal activities, such as drug use, take place at these events, should the government be allowed to take a [financial] cut? You’ve got to be kidding. What kind of a message does that send? If they say they’re being misled about what type of party will take place there, they’d better take better precautions. The flag is up now. These parties on public land must stop.