Corte Madera town officials will launch an investigation into a melee that erupted near the end of a "hyphy" dance party at the Corte Madera Recreation Center that left several teenagers with minor injuries and some neighbors with frayed nerves.
Private security guards used pepper spray to disperse the crowd. Windows and doors were broken at the recreation center, at least five teens were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries, and there were unconfirmed reports of gun shots. There have been no arrests.
Authorities said the Saturday evening show - featuring The Pack and The K.A.M.P. - was nearing its conclusion when a fight broke out about 10:30 p.m. The fighting quickly spilled into the street, blocking traffic as young people scattered from the center at 498 Tamalpais Drive.
Corte Madera Mayor Melissa Gill said the events of the "unfortunate incident" will be reviewed by town officials, including the town's policy on rental of buildings and any related requirements. The matter will be discussed at the City Council's regularly scheduled meeting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
"We'll look at the policies and determine whether they've been complied with or whether they need to be changed," Gill said. "After the facts are
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determined, any appropriate action will be taken to ensure all who attend events at our Rec Center are safe. We deeply regret that some people were injured."
About 200 to 300 people attended the "Hyphy High School Bash," which was presented by Lucrative Promotions of San Rafael and sponsored by Tony Butcha & Bookmen Productions.
Witnesses reported hearing shots fired, and there was one report of a weapon being seen, Twin Cities police detective Mark Reischel said.
Personnel from a private
Doors were boarded up at the Corte Madera Recreation Center on Sunday afternoon after a melee broke out Saturday night during a 'Hyphy High School Bash' in which at least five teenagers were injured. (Special to the IJ/Douglas Zimmerman)security firm used pepper spray to break up the fight, officials said. Twin Cities police were assisted by officers with Mill Valley, the Sheriff's Office, San Anselmo and the California Highway Patrol.
The building sustained minor damage, mostly broken glass windows and doors. Corte Madera firefighters treated several people at the scene, most suffering from breathing problems related to the pepper spray.
Linda Carter's 16-year-old daughter, Caitlin, attended the concert that was scheduled from 8 to 11 p.m. The Sir Francis Drake High School sophomore suffered an asthma attack after being hit with pepper spray. She was taken to Marin General Hospital by ambulance and treated, her mother said.
"She's still a little shaken up," said Carter, whose family lives in San Anselmo. "We've all had a pretty rough night and day. She's gone to other events at the rec center, and we just assumed it would be safe and adequately supervised."
Carter said her daughter was with a group of four other teenagers, including three girls. She was being picked up after the show by the parent of one of the friends.
Carter said late Sunday she was en route to the Twin Cities police station to file a report. Her daughter lost her purse, a cell phone and a small amount of cash that was left in her belongings in a coat room.
"It's really ironic. We live in Marin, and I feel safer sending my daughter to San Francisco. It's so unfortunate," Carter said. "There's so little for kids to do in Marin, other than play sports."
Assistant Town Manager Robert Pendoley said the recreation center rents for $600 a night. Town officials are currently discussing whether to renovate or rebuild the center and how better services can be provided to the community.
The cost of a ticket to the show was $20 at the door, according to a promotional flier.
Representatives of Lucrative Promotions declined comment.
WHAT IS HYPHY?
Hyphy is a music and dance expression that grew out of the Bay Area hip-hop scene, primarily in Oakland and Richmond. The term evolved from the word hyper, or hyperactive, to describe spontaneous movements in dancing to music. Other slang terms to describe having fun include "gettin' stupid" and "goin' dumb."
The movement emerged about 2000, although it has appeared only recently in mainstream culture.
One newsmaking feature of the movement is "sideshows," in which cars do doughnuts by braking and turning at high speeds. The activity has grabbed headlines in the Bay Area and across the state as officials and police agencies battle the dangerous activity.
Another feature includes "ghost-ridin' the whip," in which a driver walks alongside a slow-rolling car with the doors open to give the appearance it's driving itself.
LINK : http://www.marinij.com/marin/ci_5358227
E D I T:
Corte Madera vows to probe 'hyphy' party melee after council hears outcry
Joe Wolfcale
Article Launched: 03/06/2007 11:03:34 PM PST
Click photo to enlargeCorte Madera Town Attorney Jeff Walter addresses the Town Council in response... (IJ photo/Alan Dep)«12»Corte Madera town officials pledged before an overflow crowd Tuesday night to get to the bottom of last week's melee after a "hyphy" dance party that left five teenagers hurt.
Mayor Melissa Gill told a vocal crowd at Tuesday's Town Council meeting that officials intend to examine policies regarding town facilities rentals and security.
"Things went horribly wrong that night," Gill said of Saturday night's incident. "Once we've completed the investigation, a report will be issued. We're as frustrated as you are. Once we get the answers, you'll get them."
"If policies need to be changed, we'll look at that also," acting Town Manager Robert Pendoley said.
More than 75 people spilled into the entryway of the council chambers to learn more about Saturday night's fracas in which throngs of teenagers congregated in the streets surrounding the recreation center for hours. More than a dozen residents spoke.
Corte Madera resident Linda Brune, who said she had a perfect view that night from her home, was among the residents who called 911.
"It just sounded like mayhem," Brune said. "We heard this glass breaking and all this commotion. A few minutes later, all heck broke loose. There were police, firefighters and ambulances.
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Any event that needs to hire private security doesn't belong in our neighborhood. That's what's so scary to me."
Brune, a second-grade teacher at Tam Valley School in Mill Valley, and her husband were hosting out-of-town guests and had returned home minutes before the concert got out of control.
"It was totally embarrassing for us," Brune said. "It was my girlfriend's husband's first visit here. This is just a blatant example of what we don't need in the community."
Cara Williams of U.D. Security Services of Oakland, the company hired by the promoter, told the crowd the security staff might have been overwhelmed by the hundreds of swarming teenagers.
"We just couldn't call out an extra 10 security guards at the last minute," Williams said. "The kids played a huge part in this. Some of the kids showed up high, stoned and drunk."
Williams said the firm provided security for a similar show in Marin City a few months ago that ended without incident.
Saturday's "Hyphy High School Bash," sponsored by San Rafael-based Lucrative Promotions, drew more than 300 teenagers to the town's recreation center. Lucrative Promotions paid $600 to rent the hall. Tickets were $20 at the door, $15 in advance.
Police responded to at least 40 calls that night, officials said. Officers from Mill Valley, Tiburon, Sausalito, San Anselmo, Ross and the Marin County Sheriff's Office were called in to help.
No arrests were made.
On Monday, Twin Cities police officials said they found seven unfired .22 caliber cartridges in the center's rear parking lot.
Officers reported hearing two gunshots from the rear parking lot after hundreds of teenagers left the center after someone released pepper spray into the crowd, Twin Cities police Detective Pat Torres said. Police are still trying to confirm whether the security staff used the pepper spray to disperse the teenagers or if it was sprayed by someone in the crowd.
During the incident, a group of teenagers also blocked a Golden Gate Transit bus near the Tamalpais Drive onramp to Highway 101, police said.
Police also are investigating a report by Neil Cummins school officials that five laptops and a boom box were stolen from the school's learning center sometime during the weekend.
LINK: http://www.marinij.com/marin/ci_5372186
Private security guards used pepper spray to disperse the crowd. Windows and doors were broken at the recreation center, at least five teens were taken to local hospitals with minor injuries, and there were unconfirmed reports of gun shots. There have been no arrests.
Authorities said the Saturday evening show - featuring The Pack and The K.A.M.P. - was nearing its conclusion when a fight broke out about 10:30 p.m. The fighting quickly spilled into the street, blocking traffic as young people scattered from the center at 498 Tamalpais Drive.
Corte Madera Mayor Melissa Gill said the events of the "unfortunate incident" will be reviewed by town officials, including the town's policy on rental of buildings and any related requirements. The matter will be discussed at the City Council's regularly scheduled meeting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday.
"We'll look at the policies and determine whether they've been complied with or whether they need to be changed," Gill said. "After the facts are
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
determined, any appropriate action will be taken to ensure all who attend events at our Rec Center are safe. We deeply regret that some people were injured."
About 200 to 300 people attended the "Hyphy High School Bash," which was presented by Lucrative Promotions of San Rafael and sponsored by Tony Butcha & Bookmen Productions.
Witnesses reported hearing shots fired, and there was one report of a weapon being seen, Twin Cities police detective Mark Reischel said.
Personnel from a private
Doors were boarded up at the Corte Madera Recreation Center on Sunday afternoon after a melee broke out Saturday night during a 'Hyphy High School Bash' in which at least five teenagers were injured. (Special to the IJ/Douglas Zimmerman)security firm used pepper spray to break up the fight, officials said. Twin Cities police were assisted by officers with Mill Valley, the Sheriff's Office, San Anselmo and the California Highway Patrol.
The building sustained minor damage, mostly broken glass windows and doors. Corte Madera firefighters treated several people at the scene, most suffering from breathing problems related to the pepper spray.
Linda Carter's 16-year-old daughter, Caitlin, attended the concert that was scheduled from 8 to 11 p.m. The Sir Francis Drake High School sophomore suffered an asthma attack after being hit with pepper spray. She was taken to Marin General Hospital by ambulance and treated, her mother said.
"She's still a little shaken up," said Carter, whose family lives in San Anselmo. "We've all had a pretty rough night and day. She's gone to other events at the rec center, and we just assumed it would be safe and adequately supervised."
Carter said her daughter was with a group of four other teenagers, including three girls. She was being picked up after the show by the parent of one of the friends.
Carter said late Sunday she was en route to the Twin Cities police station to file a report. Her daughter lost her purse, a cell phone and a small amount of cash that was left in her belongings in a coat room.
"It's really ironic. We live in Marin, and I feel safer sending my daughter to San Francisco. It's so unfortunate," Carter said. "There's so little for kids to do in Marin, other than play sports."
Assistant Town Manager Robert Pendoley said the recreation center rents for $600 a night. Town officials are currently discussing whether to renovate or rebuild the center and how better services can be provided to the community.
The cost of a ticket to the show was $20 at the door, according to a promotional flier.
Representatives of Lucrative Promotions declined comment.
WHAT IS HYPHY?
Hyphy is a music and dance expression that grew out of the Bay Area hip-hop scene, primarily in Oakland and Richmond. The term evolved from the word hyper, or hyperactive, to describe spontaneous movements in dancing to music. Other slang terms to describe having fun include "gettin' stupid" and "goin' dumb."
The movement emerged about 2000, although it has appeared only recently in mainstream culture.
One newsmaking feature of the movement is "sideshows," in which cars do doughnuts by braking and turning at high speeds. The activity has grabbed headlines in the Bay Area and across the state as officials and police agencies battle the dangerous activity.
Another feature includes "ghost-ridin' the whip," in which a driver walks alongside a slow-rolling car with the doors open to give the appearance it's driving itself.
LINK : http://www.marinij.com/marin/ci_5358227
E D I T:
Corte Madera vows to probe 'hyphy' party melee after council hears outcry
Joe Wolfcale
Article Launched: 03/06/2007 11:03:34 PM PST
Click photo to enlargeCorte Madera Town Attorney Jeff Walter addresses the Town Council in response... (IJ photo/Alan Dep)«12»Corte Madera town officials pledged before an overflow crowd Tuesday night to get to the bottom of last week's melee after a "hyphy" dance party that left five teenagers hurt.
Mayor Melissa Gill told a vocal crowd at Tuesday's Town Council meeting that officials intend to examine policies regarding town facilities rentals and security.
"Things went horribly wrong that night," Gill said of Saturday night's incident. "Once we've completed the investigation, a report will be issued. We're as frustrated as you are. Once we get the answers, you'll get them."
"If policies need to be changed, we'll look at that also," acting Town Manager Robert Pendoley said.
More than 75 people spilled into the entryway of the council chambers to learn more about Saturday night's fracas in which throngs of teenagers congregated in the streets surrounding the recreation center for hours. More than a dozen residents spoke.
Corte Madera resident Linda Brune, who said she had a perfect view that night from her home, was among the residents who called 911.
"It just sounded like mayhem," Brune said. "We heard this glass breaking and all this commotion. A few minutes later, all heck broke loose. There were police, firefighters and ambulances.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertisement
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Any event that needs to hire private security doesn't belong in our neighborhood. That's what's so scary to me."
Brune, a second-grade teacher at Tam Valley School in Mill Valley, and her husband were hosting out-of-town guests and had returned home minutes before the concert got out of control.
"It was totally embarrassing for us," Brune said. "It was my girlfriend's husband's first visit here. This is just a blatant example of what we don't need in the community."
Cara Williams of U.D. Security Services of Oakland, the company hired by the promoter, told the crowd the security staff might have been overwhelmed by the hundreds of swarming teenagers.
"We just couldn't call out an extra 10 security guards at the last minute," Williams said. "The kids played a huge part in this. Some of the kids showed up high, stoned and drunk."
Williams said the firm provided security for a similar show in Marin City a few months ago that ended without incident.
Saturday's "Hyphy High School Bash," sponsored by San Rafael-based Lucrative Promotions, drew more than 300 teenagers to the town's recreation center. Lucrative Promotions paid $600 to rent the hall. Tickets were $20 at the door, $15 in advance.
Police responded to at least 40 calls that night, officials said. Officers from Mill Valley, Tiburon, Sausalito, San Anselmo, Ross and the Marin County Sheriff's Office were called in to help.
No arrests were made.
On Monday, Twin Cities police officials said they found seven unfired .22 caliber cartridges in the center's rear parking lot.
Officers reported hearing two gunshots from the rear parking lot after hundreds of teenagers left the center after someone released pepper spray into the crowd, Twin Cities police Detective Pat Torres said. Police are still trying to confirm whether the security staff used the pepper spray to disperse the teenagers or if it was sprayed by someone in the crowd.
During the incident, a group of teenagers also blocked a Golden Gate Transit bus near the Tamalpais Drive onramp to Highway 101, police said.
Police also are investigating a report by Neil Cummins school officials that five laptops and a boom box were stolen from the school's learning center sometime during the weekend.
LINK: http://www.marinij.com/marin/ci_5372186
