Underage rages see kids' discos called off

By MAURICE BARROW in Rotorua Waiariki journalism student
Unruly teens gathering for under age rages at Rotorua's Club Seven-20 have forced a neighbouring Rotorua childcare centre to can its monthly discos.
Chipmunks Adventure Playground has run discos for 5- to 12-year-olds for the past two years but has had to put a stop to them, claiming it's too dangerous having young children around the unruly older teens who go to the weekly Club Seven-20 underage rages.
Doug and Karen Lambert from Chipmunks, on Ti St, say they are concerned about the antics of between 300 and 500 teenagers who go to Club Seven-20 on Friday nights for under age rages.
Chipmunks' discos used to attract about 150 children but parents had been put off bringing their children there at all since Club Seventy-20's weekly rages started four months ago, the couple said.
"It's not a good look when parents are dropping their kids off and see teens hanging around outside drinking alcohol and yelling abuse," said Mrs Lambert.
Club Seven-20 co-owner Fabian Goldbert claimed Chipmunks was only complaining because it was losing business to his underage rages. Mr Lambert rejected that, saying the two venues targeted different age groups. "There is a crossover of about a year or two but that's it. It's the bad element that come around here now that have deterred parents from dropping their kids off at all."
Trouble outside the club boiled over at the weekend following a fight. Police said they were disgusted to find crowds of drunk youngsters, including a 14-year-old who was taken to hospital. Eleven youngsters in various stages of drunkenness were taken to the police station and their parents were called.
Police also seized several weapons, including a pick-axe handle, as well as bottles of booze. Two youths were charged with disorderly behaviour and referred to police Youth Aid.
Mrs Lambert said it was only a matter of time before someone was seriously hurt at the rages. Two Fridays ago she feared there had been a stabbing after a group of young people ran over to her business with blood on their clothes. Although the police were called, no complaints about a stabbing were made.
"We have to come in to work at least half an hour early on Saturdays just to pick up the glass that is left lying around."
Mrs Lambert said she didn't want to be a killjoy but felt there needed to be more supervision inside and outside the venue.
"It's quite sad because I'd like to see something in Rotorua for these kids ... there needs to be better supervision."
Mr Goldbert said police had given the club the "thumbs up".
"They have told us to be careful and we are ... I personally think we are doing a brilliant job. We have had nothing more than a few scuffles and for having 400 kids here, that's not bad."
He disputed there was a lack of supervision, saying he had six security staff and about 12 older teens acting as "prefects" and keeping an eye on things.
Mr Goldbert said he and security staff cleared away bottles outside the club.
Inspector Steve Bullock said Rotorua police had met club management to discuss its responsibilities. Fights often occurred outside the club but many were out of the club's hands, he said.
Police had no grave concerns about the club because the minor trouble that did occur was just "youths being youths".

additional reporting Kelly Blanchard