By Ann Marie
PARENTS should consider hiring private security guards before more teenage parties turn violent, say local police.
A mob of up to 200 teenagers in Watton Street, Werribee turned on police with cans and rocks earlier this month, wounding three officers and a fast-food customer, and damaging six police cars.
The violence erupted after a 19th birthday party at the Masonic Hall was closed down when gate-crashers confronted police.
Dozens of officers, were called in from across the region, including the air wing, to control the mob.
Another melee occurred the following night in Casey Drive, Hoppers Crossing, but no police were injured.
Detective Sergeant Kerin Maloney said police are called to at least one violent party a month in Wyndham, usually involving gate-crashers. “Organisers have to think seriously about being responsible for the welfare of their invited guests if they hold these kind of parties,” he said.
Det Sgt Maloney suggested that private security guards be hired and parties registered through a “partysafe” program developed recently by Victoria Police.
“It’s no guarantee it will stop problems, but we’ll be made aware of the event before-hand,” he said.
And “swarming,” or spreading information via mobile phone text messages, can turn a normal suburban get-together of teenagers into a riot, he said.
“There has to be more control and some accountability,” he said.
The manager who hired the venue for the party, Peter Block, said the answer is not to ban teenage functions at halls.
“They have to go somewhere to enjoy themselves, and stopping them from using the hall won’t do anything,” he said.
“The problems in this case started outside the hall after they left.”
He said there was no truth to reports that the event was a $5 all-you-can-drink party.
Wyndham City Council mayor Shane Bourke said the council held immediate discussions about preventing similar future problems.
“It tears my heart out to see our police treated like this,” he said.
“This sends the wrong image about our city, but this is not the way most people in our community behave.”
Mark Rose, a Wyndham councillor and a Werribee police constable, said he was shocked when he came to work hours after the chaos.
“I saw all the police cars everywhere and thought, ‘Here we go’.”
Const Rose said reports of the incident stirred memories of his own confrontation with a drunken mob while on duty in Melbourne a few years ago.
“When a crowd turns, you’re completely at their mercy. They were grabbing at me, at my gun, kicking me and throwing punches.”
“You’re literally fighting for your life.”
He said families of police officers suffered as much as officers when police are hurt on duty.
Two of the officers who were injured during the 9 March attack – including one who needed stitches to his head – returned to work the next day. A female officer who sustained neck injuries is still on sick leave.
Det Sgt Maloney said police will review mobile-phone footage and reports from witnesses to identify offenders, said. No charges have yet been laid.
Anyone with footage of the incident, or other information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
