On Tuesday, the City of Kingston and the Kingston Police updated the community on their efforts to enforce the University District Safety Initiative (UDSI) between Friday, September 3rd and Tuesday, September 7th.
The update comes after several straight days where partygoers could be seen packed into local streets. Police say each night there were between 3,500 and 5,000 people congregated on the streets.
Kingston’s Chief of Police says that they are witnessing a “concerning trend of unlawful high-risk gatherings.”
“Such disrespect for the rights of others is unconscionable. Besides putting everyone in our community at risk with the COVID virus still very much a concern, the invasion of our streets and parks by irresponsible revelers shows a disappointing lack of maturity,” said Chief Antje McNeely.
A minimum of $117,000 in fines were issued over the past 5 days. This includes 11 Reopening Ontario Act violations who are being summoned to court for hosting an illegal social gathering under the province’s reopening guidelines. Court summons face a fine of $10,000 at minimum.
An additional 35 Administrative Monetary Penalty fines were issued over amplified noise penalties. Other calls were responded to over the five day period, which involved:
- 106 noise complaint calls for services
- 53 fines for open liquor under the Liquor License Act
- Seven Highway Traffic Act violations
- One arrest and subsequent charge for public intoxication
- Three AMPs for amplified noise
Behaviour over the weekend gradually became more risky and violent as partygoers began throwing bottles at police overs and ambulance personnel. There were also individuals who climbed street light poles and campus libraries.
Kingston’s Police Association also spoke out on Monday, saying that their patience is being pushed beyond the limits with Queen’s University. “Our officers have had bottles thrown at them/ been attacked and are outnumbered by 1000’s. It is not safe or sustainable. The student behavior is predictable, yet everyone acts surprised,” wrote the Kingston Police Association on Monday.
The Kingston police say that a number of fines can still be issued while the University District Safety Initiative remains in effect until Sept. 19.
Full Break Down via Kingston Police
Friday, Sept. 3 evening – Saturday, Sept. 4 morning
- Nine Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) were issued for amplification of sound at a prohibited time, carrying a penalty of $200 each.
- Two tenants received a Part Three Court Summons under the Re-open Ontario Act (ROA) for hosting a social gathering exceeding 100 attendees outside on Colborne Street.
- Six tenants received a Part Three Court Summons under the ROA for hosting a social gathering exceeding 100 attendees outside on Albert Street.
- Bylaw Enforcement is investigating violations under the ROA for a gathering that took place on Collingwood Street. for hosting a social gathering exceeding 100 attendees outside.
Saturday, Sept. 4 evening – Sunday, Sept. 5 morning
- 20 AMPs were issued for amplification of sound at a prohibited time, carrying a penalty of $200 each.
Sunday, Sept. 5 evening – Monday, Sept. 6 morning
- Six AMPs were issued for amplification of sound at a prohibited time, carrying a penalty of $200 each.
- Three tenants received a Part Three Court Summons under the ROA for hosting a social gathering exceeding 100 attendees outside on Victoria Street.
- A nuisance party was declared by Kingston Police at 1:11 a.m. on University Avenue.
