It’s time for us to accept it: Coca Cola Christmas in the Park has become a disgrace. Every year thousands of irresponsible and careless middle-aged people descend on public property, get off their chops on eggnog and sherry, leave a disgusting mess of cans, cups and mince tart wrappers everywhere, and leave without an ounce of respect for those around them.
The crowds are out of control, drunk and disorderly, spilling all over our city streets, influencing our kids and mindlessly droning their terrible music. Last year a total of 13 arrests were made for a whole smorgasbord of charges. The costs to society and to the taxpayers are spiraling out of control. In 2016 over 70 policemen were required to keep the event under control.
Sure, some will say that the costs are justified because people have “fun” and “enjoy themselves,” but unless it’s something that I personally enjoy, it shouldn’t exist. Unless I am part of the target demographic for an event, it doesn’t deserve to receive any public funding or bring joy to anyone. Everything should conform to the particular tastes of my generation, and anything that doesn’t should be shut down.
Coca-Cola Christmas in the Park and its annual denigration of our city streets needs a huge overhaul. It has caused too much damage. Frankly, they need to take a page out of the notebook of mature and responsible organisations like OUSA, who run the Hyde Street Keg Party every year in a marvelously safe and sensible manner.
The Hyde Street Party is contained to one street, keeping the surrounding area clean and safe. The attendants are respectful and sensible – last year just 8 arrests were made and nobody was charged. Volunteers kept everyone safe and there was no broken glass to be found anywhere. Security and clean-up costs were almost entirely funded by ticket sales. Police costs are coming down every year; in 2016 just 18 officers were needed to cover the event, a fraction of the force needed to keep Generation X under control at Christmas in the Park.
Frankly, it’s a problem with their whole generation. Self-absorbed, arrogant, with no respect for how their actions affect those around them. But what can you expect from the children of the Rock ’n’ Roll era, growing up influenced by Michael Jagger, marijuana cigarettes and colour TV.