Despite a fight requiring police intervention at the last teen dance held at the New Rheem Theatre, the Youth Involvement committees from Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda are determined to hold the dance they are jointly sponsoring on April 22. The groups have been working together, and with theater, since last November on their plans to host students from Acalanes, Campolindo, and Miramonte high schools.
A dance on April 1st that rallied 350 teens was stopped by police after a violent incident between teenage girls (see our police blotter). "I was one of the people who intervened to break up the fight and I am still in shock," says Beau Behan, the manager of the New Rheem Theatre, "we put on these events for teens to have a safe place to have fun; this is not a money maker for us, if something like this happens again we may stop the dances." Behan adds that he's been working with the Police Chief to tighten the security rules at the theater and that people breaking those rules will be ejected.
As for the upcoming dance, "It is both the Rheem Theatre's and three teen committees' goal to make this a safe and fun dance," says Moraga Youth Involvement Committee chair Layth Ramatala, "A large portion of our discussions were dedicated to making sure that the safety of these students are assured. There are clothing requirements along with breathalyzers and pat downs. With these precautionary measures taken, we believe that we should not confront any problems."
"The three Parks and Recreation Departments and three teen advisory committees have worked many hours to host a successful and safe event on April 22. We plan to go forward with the event," said Moraga Parks and Recreation Director Jay Ingram.
A dance on April 1st that rallied 350 teens was stopped by police after a violent incident between teenage girls (see our police blotter). "I was one of the people who intervened to break up the fight and I am still in shock," says Beau Behan, the manager of the New Rheem Theatre, "we put on these events for teens to have a safe place to have fun; this is not a money maker for us, if something like this happens again we may stop the dances." Behan adds that he's been working with the Police Chief to tighten the security rules at the theater and that people breaking those rules will be ejected.
As for the upcoming dance, "It is both the Rheem Theatre's and three teen committees' goal to make this a safe and fun dance," says Moraga Youth Involvement Committee chair Layth Ramatala, "A large portion of our discussions were dedicated to making sure that the safety of these students are assured. There are clothing requirements along with breathalyzers and pat downs. With these precautionary measures taken, we believe that we should not confront any problems."
"The three Parks and Recreation Departments and three teen advisory committees have worked many hours to host a successful and safe event on April 22. We plan to go forward with the event," said Moraga Parks and Recreation Director Jay Ingram.
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA