Lifestyle Entertainment Raided

[JustAskJulie]

Originally posted by Close Encounters
Though headlines are never sought for the work they do NASCA exist for this very reason.

As to the article in question, it was the DUTY of the club owner to restrict the police to the areas covered by the warrant. One of the things his attorney should have briefed him on in their monthly meetings.

Assuming the club owner had monthly meetings with his attorney or an attorney for that matter.

[bill&sabrina]

My opinion on the warrant served to the club owner was that it covered the building in general. The article stated that "credible" sources informed the police that drug sales were taking place at the parties. To me that says a person that attended the parties , or an officer that was undercover provided information. In either case it was probably noted that sales could take place in any room. A "blanket" provision was probably written into the warrant to cover that possiblilty.

Bill

[remox]

Originally posted by BiloxiCouple
It sounds like the police were "tipped off" about the drugs?

Either someone doesn't like drugs or doesn't like the club itself.

Wow! I cannot beleive that somone who uses the North American Swing Club Association logo as their "icon" would take such a non-chalant stand on the use of illegal substances in swing clubs.

Reality Check....Most likely the police were tipped-off about drug use AND (shocker coming) most likely that tip was from an unsatisfied patron.

The police do not raid clubs lightly and they are very careful in "covering their butts" when they do. A failed raid equals very bad local press. The police do their homework first and then raid. They do not vindictively or randomly select business to harrass.

[fun_pairTX]

I can not stress enough, given that I spent a career in law enforcement, that these type raids are politically motivated, not the work of the police. Look to the District or County Attorney, are either up for re-election? Swing club raids are a grandstand play.

[remox]

While I know of examples of raids being "grandstand play" as mentioned above. Almost all of the examples of which I am aware are for licensing/zoning, drugs, or prostitution.

[BiloxiCouple]

[QUOTE}Reality Check....Most likely the police were tipped-off about drug use AND (shocker coming) most likely that tip was from an unsatisfied patron.[/quote]

Isn't that what I originally said?

It sounds like the police were "tipped off" about the drugs?

Either someone doesn't like drugs or doesn't like the club itself.

My statement was intended as one of probably several reasons for this raid.

[remox]

The way I read your posting it seemed to me that you were not at all concerned about the drug use, and in fact seemed to be in favor of it.

Apparently, I misread your intention. Please accept my apology.

[BiloxiCouple]

Thank you.

I am very against illegal drugs or anything that could harm our lifestyle.

Sometimes in the cyber world (and the real world) it can get easy to confuse meanings. Been there.

Hope to see some more of your comments here.

[Bama0468]

Altho the thought of getting raided is not an Ideal one, most raids come about due to lack of thought on the side of the owner, as well as, either the lack of desire or the just plain closing of the eyes as to what is going on in their club. Granted drugs can not be 100% stopped, but a savy eye for suspicious behavior can help them weed out the ones that may bring that on. on the lack of thought part ... a club here in colorado got raided/busted, they had a closed circuit system and child care provided, the area the club was on was next to their house as best I have learned, and they had ( according to what I could gather) that they had their Minor kids watch those of the members of the club. I imagine that the parents who did bring the kiddies with felt comfy they could look up at a monitor and see their lil darlings, but unfortunatly the Powers that be ( and possibly some others that attended) did not like it. thus the raid. There are many succesfull clubs, that are not raided, they have their house rules and stand by them, weed out the bad seed that would seek to use it as cover for illegal activities. Now the question, are the owners the only ones at fault? no, I believe that anyone noticing the activities should bring it to the ' Management/owner' s attention and then it should be solved in house , after all media loves a good story, and to get pictures of possible big wigs and teacher exiting a swing club would top the list.

[Close Encounters]

Originally posted by Bama0468
Now the question, are the owners the only ones at fault? no, I believe that anyone noticing the activities should bring it to the ' Management/owner' s attention and then it should be solved in house , after all media loves a good story, and to get pictures of possible big wigs and teacher exiting a swing club would top the list.

Very good point Rich. Ultimately everyone is at danger from such conduct so it behoves everyone to help prevent it.

[FrenchConx]

Reading all of these posts makes me realize how far from the facts these threads can go. It is easy to "assume" why a club got raided, but if you look at each "raid" and find out the facts, there are usually very simple reasons why the clubs are facing adversity. Sometimes they are real, sometimes they are made up, but either way, it is a reality we have to consider and one we need to work to correct.

In the specific case this thread was started- the MN club raid- here is the facts: The club was raided because they were looking for drugs. The "credible" source was a couple that attended the parties that got in trouble and were told that they could "get out of it" if they turned in some bigger fish. So, they went to the club and tried to buy from the club owners or get them to point out others that they could "buy" from. They couldn't get the club owners to sell or point anyone out so they cam in and searched the place (the warrant was on the club and the coat check area). They found one half a pill of Viagra (imagine that), some residue on in a lipstic case found on the floor and a small amount in a bag found on the floor of the coat check area. Much less than would be found in probably any nightclub (or high school).

This is an age old story of friends turning on you when put under pressure. It happens and could happen at any club in the country as far as I'm concerned. Luckily, the "drug problem" they were seeking didn't materialize and while they endured a night in jail and some press, none of the patrons had to deal with any consenquences.

If you go to the ILA site (www.theILA.org ) we adress how to be prepared for a "raid". We even have cards for club owners telling them what to do in the case of a "raid" that they can keep in their wallet. More importantly, we have a program with recommendations to prevent raids from happening.

We also have a section on our site for "Crisis Management". It advises club owners on what they should do in the aftermath of a raid. It advises on media and legal procedures. It also tells them to activate (which this club did not) our crisis line so we can help to minimize the impact on their club, their community and the national community as well. We work closely with the NCSF to get press releases written, get experts to respond quickly so that positive press can come out of a negative event. In some cases the police "raids" have backfired when we are able to get involved quickly and more effectively.

We don't have all the resources that we hope to have in another year or so, but we are steadily climbing.

Bob hannaford
ILA Board Chair