The CDC hosts teen parties, residents express concern

RTD has a thorough article up on the dance parties held at the Cultural Diversity Center off of Brookland Park Avenue. Robinson, who rents the CDC and regularly lends the building to promoters who throw the parties, says he is providing a much-needed community gathering place for teens. He said he staffs six security officers inside […]

August 17, 2009; 8:29 AM • by North Richmond News

RTD has a thorough article up on the dance parties held at the Cultural Diversity Center off of Brookland Park Avenue.

Robinson, who rents the CDC and regularly lends the building to promoters who throw the parties, says he is providing a much-needed community gathering place for teens. He said he staffs six security officers inside during parties and five off-duty police officers in the parking lot.

“The kids need a place to have a good time; our problems happen when the kids leave,” Robinson said. He said he has been having the teen parties there since April, roughly once a week.

However, some residents and civic association leaders are concerned about the tenor of the parties and the fights that spring up afterwards. Below is a flyer for this week’s party, the linked to full version is quasi-NSFW — click wisely.

… the large, alcohol-free parties, which are geared toward ages 13 through 18 and are advertised with such slogans as “Booty Shorts and Tank Tops” and “Bathing Suit Bash.” Fliers entice girls to dress scantily.

Residents also report random gunfire — including as recently as Thursday night after a party there — and complain of trash strewn in yards and along the streets. On Thursday night, police officers were close enough to hear the shots, and they found two guns in the vicinity

The owner ends with this thought:

Corrigan said a lot of the problems outside the CDC could be fixed if parents would pick up their teens after the parties.

“I know where my kids are at 11 o’clock at night,” he said. “Where are yours?”

August 17, 2009 8:29 AM 0