PROJECT ECSTASY
Fort Lauderdale Police Department
Rave Task Force
Introduction
In general practice “Raves” are all night dance parties, open to the general public, where loud “techno” music is played by disc jockeys. A large part of the concept of raves is built upon sensory overload -- loud encompassing audio coupled with visual stimuli are combined to elevate people into an altered state of awareness.
“Techno” music is distinguished by its use of a heavy beat that uses rhythm as a hypnotic tool and is created entirely by electronic means.
Any intelligence information or concerns that identify or lead to the sales and consumption of club drugs or enhance the rave experience will be forwarded to Captain Paul Kiley for review. If the need arises, Captain Kiley will engage the Fort Lauderdale Police Department Rave Task Force. The Fort Lauderdale Police Department Rave Task Force will be comprised of Police Officers, and State Agents from the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco. They will be given the following direction:
- To utilize State beverage laws designed for regulating the hours of operation for alcoholic beverage establishments, underage drinking, fraudulent identification cards and licenses, etc.
- To employ Fort Lauderdale’s’ existing ordinances regulating liquor license and beer and wine establishments and control violators.
- To identify other educational alternatives that would assist in curtailing illicit drug sales and use at rave clubs and social gatherings.
The Fort Lauderdale Police Department’s Rave Task Force will develop its work product through problem solving techniques. Once an illicit drug problem is identified, the task force will research the problem to identify the underlying cause of the problem and its participants. Research will include a review and understanding of the State Rave legislation and local ordinances, reports from law enforcement, club owners and rave goers, public testimony and rave computer web sites. The task force will review how to impact illicit drug sales and use at raves. Results and recommendations developed by the task force will be provided to the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco for their enforcement in license establishment.
Mission Statement:
- To survey and analyze the club drug phenomenon in the City of Fort Lauderdale, paying specific attention to the illicit drug sales and use associated with rave clubs, and to make recommendations relative to solving the problems identified, if appropriate.
Objectives:
- To review the pending State legislation that would regulate the hours of operation for liquor license establishments for its possible impact on the City of Fort Lauderdale.
- To evaluate Fort Lauderdale’s existing ordinances regulating liquor license and beer and wine establishments and to recommend changes or additions as they relate to illicit drug sales and use at current or potential rave clubs, if appropriate.
- To identify other alternatives that would assist in curtailing illicit drug sales and use at current or potential rave clubs.
Format:
The scan phase will include a presentation of the club drug phenomenon by means of the Police Department Internet web site and various public messaging systems. Information will be compiled with input from the public, the Division of Alcoholic Beverages and Tobacco and the Broward General Medical Center. Presentations will include a review of pertinent laws, City ordinances and research on rave clubs worldwide.
The analysis and response phase will allow for task force members to discuss and debate among themselves on how best to address the illicit drug sales and use at rave clubs.
The assessment phase will allow for the task force to concisely summarize any recommendations in such a way as to allow for either changes or additions to local ordinances or other viable options to curtail the illicit drug sales and use at rave clubs.
Summary
A clear concern of this task force is not to recommend changes that would create hardships. Based upon results recorded in our club drug tracking system, inclusive of all testimony and criminal intelligence of club drugs and rave venues, a determination will be made as to presence of illicit club drugs and the activity inside raves. Because most of the current rave activities occur after normal business operation hours and liquor is no longer sold, incidences of after hour venues are more frequent.
Those opposed to closing alcohol establishments, consistent with the new state Rave legislation, felt that this prohibition would make all-age raves unregulated and rave will become more attractive and profitable, thereby exposing younger age groups to risk. This is an example of the type of problem that would be presented to the task force members, with requests to analyze and develop favorable regulations instead of strict prohibition.
In addition, the task force members will consider the sensitivity and potential economic impact upon businesses that have invested their time and money to create a vibrant nighttime entertainment center in the City. Many of those businesses have taken responsible action to minimize and prevent their patronage from falling victim to the drug trade. While recognizing these efforts, the task force members will work diligently with venue promoters, property owners and property management companies to create truly drug free entertainment environments. Task force members will also ensure that there be as little negative impact as possible upon the many area residents who work within the hospitality industry and who frequent nightclubs during the late night and early morning hours.
The success of the Fort Lauderdale Police Department Rave Task Force and its plan to address the issue of illicit drug sales and use in our City’s entertainment establishments is clearly dependent upon the cooperation of a combined effort of enforcement officers, citizens, industry owners and club patrons.
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