>We are so lucky here in Kansas City. Through the efforts of several
>promoters, as well as the Kansas City City Promoter's Alliance, a
>group of promoters who have come together to ensure that parties can
>keep on happening in the KC area, we have established a good working
>relationship with the police in our area. They have stated that all
>they are looking for is an end to the blatant drug use (as measured
>in drug sales), and adherance to all required legal permits. They
>have even offered to help local promoters in getting permits.
>
>Of course, we had to first earn their cooperation and trust. This was
>done through being so well-organized (we have several rave-oriented
>organizations in town in addition to the KCPA). Also, several
>promoters demonstrated our commitment to doing things straight up and
>legal. They were able to achieve virtually drug free parties. At one
>of these events, the Vice Squad was unable to make even one drug buy
>all night and several of their undercover officers were thrown out
>for attempting to buy drugs.
>
>The lessons are:
>1) drug free events ARE possible
>2) the rave and club scenes need to do even better at eliminating
>drugs from events
>3) it is essential to develop good relationships with your local law
>enforcement and city officials. Cities where someone in either of
>those organizations has a chip on their shoulder towards raves are
>going to have to work twice as hard!
>
>One interesting fact we learned from the local head of KC's Vice
>Squad: There is no coincidence that these rave crack downs are
>happening all over the country at the same time. Apparently, police
>depts in many major metro areas receive a generous portion of their
>funding for vice divisions from the federal govt. This makes them
>answerable at the federal level. In KC, they were sent to a federally-
>sponsored national conference on ecstacy at which they were told
>about this crackhouse law, as well as fed all kinds of negative
>propaganda about raves. Fortunately, the KC head of KC's Vice Squad
>seems able to make up his own mind. But, there are police depts all
>over the country that were fed the same kind of propaganda and are
>hell-bent on implementing it!
>
>Even in KC, we have to watch because the Vice Squad goes on record in
>the media as "hard" on raves. When they talk to us man-to-man, they
>have explained that this is because they have constituents just like
>elected officials, so it is very politically correct to crack down on
>our chosen weekend activity right now. :-(
>
>If anyone would like further info on how we have achieved this
>working relationship with the cops in KC, in order to help with your
>own local efforts, feel free to email me at my personal address:
>[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>Also, I have been developing a professional quality Rave PR Kit for
>the KCPA. This goes a long way toward gaining respect from the media
>and law enforcement when we can present ourselves professionally and
>in a well-thought out manner. This might help others of you who are
>going through the same thing. We are aiming to have the press kit
>finished before the WMC. I plan to bring copies of it to the WMC and
>will gladly make them available to anyone who wants one. We will also
>soon have this info available for download on the KCPA web site.
>
>Good luck to all in this serious battle!
>
>-- Robin
/'''\
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( ) Oooo. Moonshine Records,Ovum Recordings & Mixer Mag Street Team
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