Metro warns parents about house parties

By Jeff O'Brien

Friday, Feb. 27, 2009 | 3:30 p.m.

Metro Police are taking steps to remind parents of the violence that sometimes stems from overcrowded teenage house parties.

A small gathering of 10-15 friends can turn into a packed crowd of hundreds of people when invited guests send text messages to all of their friends, said Officer Bill Cassell of Metro Police.

These situations can result in drugs, alcohol, weapons and rival gang members at a party, he said. Neighborhoods are often disturbed by parking problems, littering and loud music.

Metro released a series of tips Friday for parents that included prohibiting text message invitations during a party, not allowing invited guests to bring other people and parents notifying neighbors when going out of town.

Cassell said that some teenagers send “mass text messages” that go out to hundreds of people with the push of a button.

“Kids are inadvertently inviting people to these parties who don’t like each other,” Cassell said. “We are seeing many cases where what should have been a small party quickly grows out of control.”

Jeff O’Brien can be reached at 990-8957 or jeff.obrien@hbcpub.com.