Many parents are thinking twice about holding a backyard birthday party for their teenager. Picture: Thinkstock Source: Supplied
- Parents say they are wary of hosting house parties
- Sophisticated security measures needed for safety
- Ex-cop says teenagers don't know when to stop
DOG squads, metal detectors and military specialists are now required to keep teenage birthday parties from getting out of hand, but will it be enough to keep kids safe?
The weekend's tragic events are nothing short of every parent's worst nightmare.
Both were victims of gatecrashers who stormed separate suburban birthday celebrations.
"When you agree to host a house party for your child you worry about the neighbours complaining because of the noise, some kid nicking your mother's vase or overdoing it on the booze. You don't want to believe things will get much more serious than that," says father-of-two Steve Jones.
But Mr Jones is just one of many parents who say they will now think twice before hosting a teenage celebration at home.
"There is no way I would ever host an 18th birthday party," says mother Kelly Exeter. "I would only do a 21st and that would be held at a function centre with bouncers and security."
Former police offer Mark Ellis, managing director of Brisbane-based Gatecrash Security which caters exclusively for teenage parties, told news.com.au that while security is vital a more sophisticated approach is needed.
"Old thug-style security doesn't work with teenagers," he said. "They don't have the same respect for authority. If it's heavy-handed or overbearing they will take on that threat."
Instead Mr Ellis' staff is made up of fellow former police officers, ex-military, prison officers and fire fighters who are all trained in the art of conflict resolution, negotiation and crowd control.
"We look after about 20 parties a week and we get gatecrashers at every single one," he says. "We use specialist lighting, dog squads and metal detectors because that is what's required these days to keep kids safe.
"When I was a schoolboy, you had fist-fights and it would be over the moment somebody hit the ground, but nowadays kids will put the boot in again and again and again. They won't stop and there have been deaths and near-deaths as a result. On top of that, many kids now carry weapons."
Despite increased incidences of violence at teenage birthday parties, chief executive of Youth Safe, Anne Deans, says calls to end backyard parties are over the top.
"We can't wrap children in cotton wool," she said. "Socialisation is an important part of normal development for young people. We want them to mix with their peers and have life experiences but they need to do so in a safe environment.
"I don't think we can say that teenagers are more prone to violence than they were 20 years ago, but the social environment has definitely changed. Back then you sent paper invitations to your birthday party, now you can send a text and have 30 people on your doorstep in minutes."
The tragic truth for parents though, is that you can take all the preventative measures in the world and still find yourself in a terrible situation.
Liam Knight's parents hired security, notified police of the party and had a presence at the celebrations, yet they now find themselves keeping vigil at their son's beside.
"Teenage parties are something parents have always been concerned about," says Rachael Sowden, spokeswoman for the Parents and Citizens Association.
"They were fearful of it when Corey Worthington's party got out of hand and they are fearful of it now. I think we'll see a few more 18th birthday bashes turning into smaller family gatherings around the couch."
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