Counting the beat: Police bring back disco
“When’s the next one, mister?” That was the response from a student after enjoying a Halloween-themed Blue Light disco in Palmerston North.
Students from Takaro School, Te Kura O Wairau, Palmerston North Intermediate Normal School, and Monrad Te Kura Waenga o Tirohanga were treated to Blue Light discos on October 28 at the Queen Elizabeth College Hall.
The discos, one for primary and the other intermediate, were organised by Feilding Blue Light.
DJ Weeps dropped the beats while the students boogied on down.
Feilding Youth Aid Constable Allan McLean emceed the discos and says it’s the first time in more than a decade Blue Light discos had been held in Palmerston North.
“Promoting the discos with the selected schools was interesting as they had no idea what we were talking about and were confused as to why police wanted to put discos on for them,” he says. “But when they understood why we were doing it, they were excited about the opportunity.
“We had heaps of positive feedback from parents about the disco. They told us it was awesome and some of them even remembered going to them as children. The kids were on a high and had a tonne of fun — their smiling faces said it all.”
The disco also was also a good opportunity for Highbury Police staff to positively engage with the kids from their community.
“The discos not only bring the community together but also show police in a positive, fun environment — it’s not often police host disco parties. It’s a nice change for us to be running parties rather than showing up to close them down.”