Police say there was a decrease of people at unsanctioned St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the University District this weekend.
At one point, police Const. Ash Gutheinz says a number of tickets were given out under the nuisance party by-law. “There were seven nuisance by-law charges laid, one of which was of criminal mischief.”
In 2018, Kingston police saw more than 5,000 students converge on the busy party artery and handed out a total of 118 Provincial offence notices for various charges. On Sunday, police say 4,000 gathered on the street, and there was a drop in citations to 79 court summons.
“There were a lot of people on Aberdeen Street this year; however, it seemed to be a downward trend,” Gutheinz said.
On Sunday, officials say there was no major incident, but Frontenac Paramedics say 17 people were taken to the hospital for alcohol intoxication. The street party kept police occupied, but overall it appears students were just out to have a good time.
This was the first year that both the University District Safety initiative and the nuisance party by-law were in full effect. The initiative allows police, Queen’s University and the city to collaborate and target high-risk, disruptive behaviour during massive parties.
Const. Gutheinz says it’s their hope these will help with a decrease in issues moving forward.
“We’re hoping that the University District Safety initiative, as well as the nuisance party bylaw, will show a decrease in unsanctioned street parties,” he said.
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