By LIA SPENCER
YOUNGSTERS who loved to dance are urging others to attend the Blue Light Disco this month to prevent it from shutting down.
Caitlin Old, 11, and her friends were disappointed to learn junior discos in Narre Warren North will end if the attendance this month doesn’t increase.
Leading Senior Constable Mark Townsend said the Blue Light Discos separated into junior disco in Narre Warren North and a senior disco in Berwick after parents complained about the joint event.
The senior disco has an average of 120 students, but with the junior attendance averaging 20 kids, Leading Senior Constable Townsend said it would be shut down after this month if there were less than 40 students.
“The junior disco is run beside Narre Warren North Primary School but we have not had one student attend the last four discos, so we are thinking enough is enough,” Lead Sen Con Townsend said.
“If we can exceed 30 kids this month, then we are covering the costs of the hall and the disco can stay.”
Caitlin and her friend Paris Fraser said they looked forward to spending time with friends at the disco each month.
Caitlin said she enjoyed meeting students from other schools.
Paris said her school had a dance at the end of the year, but she enjoyed not having to wait by attending the monthly Blue Light Discos.
Catilin’s mum Tracey said she loved that is was supervised by police.
“It’s a great social thing for kids to do and it’s safe,” Mrs Old said.
“Parents today are cautious of what their kids do and where they go and who they are with.”
Leading Senior Constable Townsend said the Blue Light Disco had been running in the area for 32 years and was a great activity for kids to partake in.
“It’s a good place for them to interact with people their own age and they are supervised by off-duty police and volunteers in the community.”
The next junior disco is for students in grades three to six and will be held from 6pm until 9pm at the Narre Warren North Hall on A’Beckett Road. Admission for the junior disco is $10 with no pass outs.
“By law we can’t enforced thenm to stay if they want to leave, but they will be challenged,” Lead Sen Con Townsend said.
“But if they leave and come back it’s another $10 and they can’t get in past 9pm.”
A senior disco for students in year levels seven to 10 will be held at the Berwick Leisure Centre on Manuka Road on 1 June from 6.3pm until 10pm. Cost is $15.
