Kingston Police, City Bylaw lay 140 charges in University District

Kingston Police and Kingston Bylaw Enforcement issued 140 fines and charges in the University District surrounding Queen’s University over the weekend ending on Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021.

Police relayed that they were “once again dismayed” by the number of large gatherings that occurred yet again for the third weekend in a row. In a press release late on Monday, Sept. 13, 2021, Kingston Police referred to the City and Police resourced that “had to be all allocated throughout the University District to respond to the increased activity.”

“A number of arrests were made related to the unruly behaviour that was once again on display en masse and in clear contravention of current pandemic regulations,” the press release reads.

According to Kingston Police, from the evening of Friday, Sept. 10 and into the morning of Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021, officers laid 45 charges under the Liquor License Act for having open alcohol in a public place. Additionally, three individuals were arrested for public intoxication, and two nuisance parties were declared incurring a total of $4,000 in fines. On top of that, two parking tickets were issued in the University District during that timeframe.

From the evening of Saturday, Sept. 11 into the early morning of Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, a total of 39 charges for having open alcohol in public were laid by Kingston Police, as well as five individuals arrested and charged for public intoxication. Police said one charge was also laid for a person under the age of 19 having/consuming alcohol, and one attendee at the gathering was issued a charge under the Reopening Ontario Act. Adding to the list of charges in that timeframe, two Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) totaling $1,090 in penalty notices being issued occurred, and four aggravated nuisance parties were declared resulting in $8,000 in fines.

In terms of City of Kingston Bylaw Enforcement, 34 Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) were issued between Thursday, Sept. 9 and Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, with a total of approximately $13,500 in penalty notices being issued. Two nuisance parties and three aggravated nuisance parties were declared.

“Kingston Police would also like to address the fact that there has also been a noticeable increase over the past week of partygoers at various University District gatherings that attempt to run from police when being stopped in relation to Liquor Licence Act violations or other similar offences,” Kingston Police stated.

“In one such instance police were involved in a foot chase with an accused who was subsequently arrested and criminally charged with obstructing a peace officer. Police would like to remind the individuals in attendance of these large gatherings that flight from police while they are conducting an investigation, criminal or otherwise, can result in not only being arrested but Criminal Code of Canada charges being laid.”

And completing the list of offences, fines and charges over the weekend, three students were arrested in the University District over the weekend for theft of a City street sign. All three were each charged jointly with the Criminal Code offences of theft under $5,000, possession of stolen property under $5,000, and mischief under $5,000.

Of note, these incidents all took place after KFL&A Public Health Associate Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Hugh Guan, confirmed on Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, that COVID-19 cases within the University District are on the rise, with those aged 18 to 29 accounting for over half of the cases in the region.

Kingstonist has reached out to Queen’s University to follow up on disciplinary actions that have been taken up until this point, as well as the intended consequences for those students involved in the above incidents. No response was received by time of publication. This article will be updated if/when more information becomes available.