How to Deal With Neighborhood Complains About a Rave

A "rave" or "rave party" is an all-night dance event with live and recorded electronic dance music. Popular since the 1960s, a rave has come to be associated with drug use, particularly ecstasy. Today, those who attend raves often opt to remain sober, enjoy the music and dance the night away. However a rave can be noisy. Take steps before the gathering to ward off complaints.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Plan the rave within the boundaries of local statutes and municipal laws. Check out the noise ordinance, curfew, parking restrictions before you choose a site for the party. Check with the Mayor's office or the Police Department for additional information.

2. Consider a suitable location for the rave. Common sites for raves are an abandoned warehouse or hangar, open field in a rural area and the beach because of the lack of nearby residents who might be disturbed by the noise. Notify area residents of your plans.

3. Pass out flyers with information about the party and include the phone number of a contact person that neighbors can call first if there is a problem. Notify the police as well with all the details.

4. Visit with the neighbors who are closest to the location of the rave. Meeting with them puts a face on the matter; we are less inclined to complain about people that we've met face-to-face. Be polite and cordial and tell them about your plans. Listen to suggestions and try to allay any concerns. Invite the neighbors to the party.

5. Assure neighbors that there will be no drugs or alcohol and make good on that promise. Raves attract a lot of minors. Mix in drugs and alcohol and you've got a sure-fire recipe for complaints, police and citations for contributing to the delinquency of minors.

6. Make good on your word to keep the party drug- and alcohol-free. Have a detailed plan in place to deal with problems before they arise. Appoint "bouncers" to keep an eye out for disputes that may lead to physical altercations.

7. Remember that, as the event planner and promoter, you can be held legally responsible for what goes on at the rave. Enlist the help of others who understand your intentions to have a drug- and alcohol-free dance party.

Tips & Warnings

• As a rave organizer, you can be cited by the police for problems that stem from the gathering. In the event of a lawsuit, you may be held liable.
• The presence or sale of drug paraphernalia, "poppers," and/or glow sticks can be presented as evidence that drugs were available at the party.