Police: Homecoming behaviour improving, still work to be done

The following is an update from Kingston Police regarding the events surrounding this year’s Queen’s University Homecoming:

The Kingston Police, in partnership with other emergency services, city partners, and Queen’s University, worked throughout the weekend in the University District to keep the peace and ensure public safety during this year’s Homecoming event.

The University District Safety Initiative has been in place since Move-in Day/Orientation Week 2018 and was used over the Homecoming weekend to address safety concerns and to target high-risk and disruptive behaviour.  Although Friday evening was fairly quiet, on Saturday thousands converged (peaking at approximately 10,000 at 11:30 a.m.).  This forced officers to change their focus from enforcement to crowd management for safety reasons, resulting in the closure of Aberdeen Street and Johnson Street between University and Division.  Strategic enforcement of the Nuisance Party By-Law enabled officers to disperse the crowd safely by 4:00 p.m. and prevent further crowds from forming for the rest of the day.

In total, 85 charges were laid, mostly for offences under the Liquor Licence Act.  All those charged under the Queen’s University District Safety Initiative will be appearing in court on either November 22 or 30, 2018, to account for their actions.

The Kingston Police wish to thank City By-Law for its education and enforcement work leading up to and during the event.  We also wish to thank our community partners, school organizations, and emergency and medical services for their support and involvement to ensure a safe Homecoming weekend.  They include the City of Kingston, Frontenac Paramedic Services, Kingston Fire & Rescue, Queen’s administration, Queen’s Alma Mater Society (including ReUnion Street Festival organizers, Municipal Affairs Commission and Student Maintenance and Resource Team), Queen’s Campus Security and Emergency Services, Kingston General Hospital, Hotel Dieu Hospital, Queen’s Campus Observation Room, KFLA Public Health, and more.