6.

Raves Within the City of Edmonton

Recommendation
That Administration bring forward amendments to Business License Bylaw 13138
to impose an immediate moratorium on electronic music and dance parties referred
to as “raves” until such time as a thorough review of these events including
licensing and permit regulations can be conducted by Administration.

Executive Summary

“Raves” is a generic term that describes after hour club parties, electronic music
shows and electronic dance parties that feature fast-paced electronic music and light
shows. Experience with previous events has shown there to be widespread
consumption of drugs to enhance users' sensory perceptions and to increase their
energy levels so they can dance for extended periods of time. The typical attendee
population is approximately 40% female to 60% male with ages in the mid-20’s. The
events are typically held in licensed venues, including West Edmonton Mall and City
owned and operated facilities such as the Shaw Conference Centre.

A civic working group has been formed and is meeting to address concerns around
raves in Edmonton. Based on the number of attendees requiring medical attention or
transport due to drug overdoses or other medical attention, the Edmonton Police
Service proposes that a moratorium on “raves” be implemented while this working
group considers these concerns and any potential changes to licensing and permits . A
review of event planning and execution should focus on safety and address liability
issues proximal to hosting these events.

Police provide “extra duty” security to these events, usually in conjunction with private
security agencies. Costs for these extra duty police officers are covered by the event
organizers. When crimes are committed, on duty police will be called in to address the
need for criminal investigations and/or arrests including staying with suspects at the
hospital if required.

The main concern at these events is the prevalent drug use, drug-facilitated sexual
assaults, and resulting public safety issues. Medical emergencies triggered by this
drug use are addressed by Emergency Medical Technicians and hospital staff from
Alberta Health Services. Unfortunately, these events are now having a significant and
negative impact upon all emergency services across the city.

ROUTING – Community and Public Services Committee| DELEGATION – T. O’Brien/R.R. Knecht/B. Simpson
June 6, 2018 – Edmonton Police Commission CR_6009
Page 1 of 4
 Raves Within the City of Edmonton

Report
The report provides information to City Council on the issues emergency responders
including fire, paramedic and police staff are encountering at these events.

At a typical rave, the drug overdoses begin by about 10:30 p.m. or 11:00 p.m., and, as
the evening progresses, the overdoses become more pronounced. When last call for
alcohol occurs at 2:00 a.m., those who have consumed alcohol will resort to
consuming drugs. The alcohol exacerbates the effects of the drugs, which
subsequently causes an increase in the number of overdoses requiring medical
attention. The predominant drugs consumed are Ecstasy, Ketamine, Cocaine, and the
date-rape drug (GHB).

These overdoses place a significant burden on hospital emergency departments. The

Royal Alexandra Hospital and University of Alberta are the two main trauma centers,
and provide service to Edmonton and the northern half of the province. The additional
pressures placed on these two hospitals by rave patients requiring transportation and
treatment has triggered serious capacity issues.

The most recent event saw 18 patients treated on the scene for drug related illnesses,
and 11 transported to hospital emergency rooms. As a consequence, police officers
and paramedics were tied up at hospitals for several hours, and EMS service to the
rest of the city was significantly reduced. Attachment 1 reviews raves conducted at the
Shaw Conference Centre from 2016 to 2018 and EMS and police interactions.

When compared to other major events at venues such as Commonwealth Stadium

and Rogers Place with at least three times the attendees, it is evident that raves
consume much more EMS and police resources per attendee. Attachment 2 provides
comparable statistics to Attachment 1 for a selection of these other events.

A civic working group has been formed and is meeting to address concerns around
raves in Edmonton. Based on the number of attendees requiring medical attention or
transport due to drug overdoses or other medical attention, the Edmonton Police
Service proposes that a moratorium on “raves” be implemented while this working
group considers these concerns. This group should consider the planning and
execution of these events to ensure they are conducted in a safe fashion and to
address liability issues proximal to hosting these events including licensing and
permits.

At the conclusion of the work by the civic working group, City Council should consider
whether city owned facilities should continue to host these events. Apart from the
immediate challenges that raves present to emergency responders, there are

Page 2 of 4 Report: CR_6009

 Raves Within the City of Edmonton

significant liabilities and risks due to prevalent drug use and the potential for
associated sexual assaults.

Corporate Outcomes and Performance Management

Outcome(s) Measure(s) Result(s) Target(s)

● A clear picture going
forward on where raves fit
into the blend of social
activities available in the
Edmonton market.
● Enhanced safety for
participants.
● Reduced liability for the
City.
● An immediate reduction in ● Increased safety for • Reduced medical
the number of rave participants. interventions for
participants taken to ● Improved response time participants.
hospital by EMS, through and increase capacity for • Improve response time
reduced interaction EMS, hospitals, and and increase capacity for
between drugs and alcohol police. EMS, hospitals and
in the early morning hours police.
of these events.
● Reduced number of calls
for service by Edmonton
areas EMS and police
units.

Risk Risk Likeli- Impact Risk Score Current Potential

Element Description hood (with Mitigations Future
current Mitigations
mitigations)

Public Risk of the City 4 - Likely 4 - Severe 16 - High Extra Duty Police Continue existing
Liability incurring members required mitigations
significant to keep order in
liabilities should venue Reduce hours and
serious injuries crowd capacity
and / or fatalities EMS on standby for
occur in a medical events Increase public
City-owned facility education for
personal safety at
raves

Requirement for all

event organizers to
have drug screening
upon entry to venue

Prevention Failure to provide 5- 3 - Major 15 - High Extra Duty Police Continue existing
citizens and Almost members required mitigations
visitors to Certain to keep order in
Edmonton with venue Increase public
the information, education for
tools, and skills EMS on standby for personal safety at
they need to avoid medical events raves
becoming a victim
or perpetrator of
Requirement for all
crime.
event organizers to
have drug screening
upon entry to venue

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 Raves Within the City of Edmonton

Response Failure to provide 3- 3 - Major 9 - Medium EPS works with Continue existing
efficient and Possible Civic Event mitigations
effective customer Management
service including Group to increase Increase public
an appropriate awareness of major education for
and timely events and plans personal safety at
response to resources raves
community accordingly
concerns, calls for
Requirement for all
service, and high EMS on standby for
event organizers to
risk incidents medical events
have drug screening
upon entry to venue

Operational Risks associated 3- 2- 6 - Low EPS works with Continue existing

Planning with inadequate, Possible Moderate Civic Event mitigation
incomplete or Management
sub-standard Group to increase
Monitor major
operational awareness of major
events more closely
planning that events and plans
for lessons learned
could and does resources
on event
impact the accordingly
management
efficient and
effective
execution of
prevention,
investigation,
enforcement or
response
activities.

Public Failure to manage 4 - Likely 4 - Severe 16 - High Extra Duty Police Continue existing
Perception the reputation of members required mitigations
the City as it is to keep order in
perceived by the venue Reduce hours and
community it crowd capacity
serves, and the EMS on standby for
partners / medical events Increase public
stakeholders it education for
works with. personal safety at
raves

Requirement for all

event organizers to
have drug screening
upon entry to venue

Attachments
1. Statistics for Raves at City Owned Facilities
2. Statistics for Selected Other Major Entertainment Events
Others Reviewing this Report
● S. Padbury/R. Kits, Acting Deputy City Managers, Financial and Corporate
Services
● C. Campbell, Deputy City Manager, Communications and Engagement
● K. Block, Acting Deputy City Manager, Citizen Services

Page 4 of 4 Report: CR_6009