Kingston Police, City remind students to stay safe during move-in, orientation

It’s the time of year when students return to the Limestone City to pursue higher learning. The City of Kingston and Kingston Police are welcoming both new and returning post-secondary students to the community, while reminding everyone to stay safe during move-in and orientation activities.

“It’s an exciting time of year in Kingston as post-secondary students return to the community,” said Acting Chief of Kingston Police, Scott Fraser. “We’d like to encourage everyone to act responsibly when participating in back-to-school events, and to be aware of the risks associated with large unsanctioned gatherings.” Chief Fraser’s message to students can be viewed in full here.

The University District Safety Initiative (UDSI) will be in effect from Monday, Aug. 28 at 12 a.m. until Sunday, Sept. 10 at 11:59 p.m. According to a release from the City of Kingston, the purpose of the UDSI is to educate community members and to mitigate the risks of large unsanctioned gatherings, including strains on emergency services, dangerous behaviours and traffic disruptions.

During this time, community partners, including City of Kingston Enforcement Staff and Kingston Police, will have an increased presence in the University District, the City stated. Bylaw officers can also issue Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) for Nuisance Party and Noise Bylaw infractions.

“The safety and well-being of the entire community remains our top priority. Launching the University District Safety Initiative has given us the opportunity to collaborate with community partners, students and property owners to ensure that everyone understands their role in keeping our community safe,” said Kyle Compeau, Licensing and Enforcement Manager at the City of Kingston. “We’re looking forward to working together so that everyone can enjoy these final weeks of summer responsibly.”

According to the release, Bylaw Enforcement and Kingston Police have distributed educational materials to residents of the University District. Community members are encouraged to learn more about the municipal measures in place to discourage unsanctioned large gatherings and high-risk or disruptive behaviours by visiting the UDSI webpage on the City of Kingston website.