Rave Permits Issued To Sex Offender
Ecstasy Parties Commonly Held In Downtown Warehouse; City Denies Involvement
POSTED: 8:22 am MST March 17,
2009
UPDATED: 7:25 am MST March 18,
2009
PHOENIX -- Loud, thumping music, glow sticks, and throngs of dancing teenagers -- all of these can found at popular all-age, all-night dance parties known as "raves," which are known for their wild atmosphere and abundance of drugs.5 Investigates went undercover to a rave held in a downtown Phoenix warehouse. Cameras caught partygoers dirty dancing, some wearing only underwear, and others sucking on pacifiers.But Jessica Smith, a rave expert and the Arizona state director of Students Against Destructive Decisions, said what cannot be seen is most alarming -- large quantities of Ecstasy."Walk around the parking lots after hours," Smith said. "You will see the beer bottles, the beer cans, used condoms, syringes ... Is that a safe environment?"5 Investigates also found many adult men at the rave, mingling with teens.The man who appeared to be in charge is known in the local rave scene as "Boo." Cameras filmed him walking around with a security detail, stopping often to pose for pictures with teens.But what most party-goers don't know is Boo, aka Michael Booher, is a convicted sex offender.Phoenix police are aware of Booher's raves; a YouTube video shows them shutting one down in February. Police have asked city officials to stop issuing permits for these parties, yet the parties continue to be held.Deborah Ostreicher, an employee of the city of Phoenix, initially appeared unaware of Booher and the raves he has hosted in the downtown warehouse."There is no permit issued to that location for something called a 'rave,'" Ostreicher said. "There is ... a permit for weddings, bar mitzvahs, quinceaneras and chili cook-offs, and there is no permit issued to someone of that name."5 Investigates has confirmed the city of Phoenix Planning Department did issue permits to Booher to host the raves, despite Ostreicher's denials. The city has scheduled a hearing on this issue, set to be held March 26th.Meanwhile, Smith said these parties have already been allowed to go on for too long."When something happens there, people ... are going to be up in arms, and they're going to be asking the question, 'Why wasn't something done about it?'"
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