Community Partners work together to address more illegal gatherings on October 23 weekend

While this past weekend showed a small decrease in disruptive behavior, Bylaw Enforcement issued 64 Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs), totaling $68,700 in fines. Kingston police issued 83 provincial offences fines and 57 AMPs. Fourteen individuals were arrested.

“While we saw a slight improvement from Oct. 16 and 17 in terms of the volume of partiers, officers continued to observe aggressive, volatile, and disrespectful behaviour that has unfortunately become the norm these past weeks,” says Kingston Police Chief Antje McNeely. “We want to thank those students who exercised caution and found safe and responsible ways to gather. On the other hand, we continue to advise those who consistently ignore our warnings that any illegal behaviour will be addressed through appropriate fines and charges.”

Community partners, including police, bylaw, Frontenac Paramedics and Kingston Fire & Rescue worked together throughout the weekend, ensuring that emergency services remained able to respond to the evolving situation while continuing to support the needs of the larger community.

“A lot of time, effort and resources have gone into preparing for the past two weekends,” says Paige Agnew, Commissioner of Community Services for the City. “Not only were staff present on the ground to ensure that crucial services and infrastructure were not disrupted, but they also met with community partners to facilitate a coordinated community response that placed resident safety first.”

This weekend also saw multiple crowds gathering on major roadways, posing an immediate threat to the safety of pedestrians in the area. Police and Bylaw Enforcement were able to intervene and successfully clear multiple gatherings throughout the day.

Kingston Police were also supported by Durham Regional Police, the Toronto Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police Public Order Unit, York Regional Police, the Belleville Police Service, Gananoque Police Service and the Smiths Falls Police Service.

• 81 Liquor Licensing Act charges

• 2 Highway Traffic Act Charges

• 1 possession of a dangerous weapon and a controlled substance (Criminal Code of Canada)

• 12 Public Intoxication (Liquor Licensing Act)

• Obstructing an officer - 4

• Attending, hosting or sponsoring an aggravated nuisance party, totaling $30,000 - 26

• Amplified noise - 25

• Yelling or shouting - 2

• Failing to comply with an emergency order, totaling $60,000 - 30

• Hosting, attending or sponsoring a nuisance party, totaling $2,000 - 1

• Amplification of sound, totaling $6,000 - 30

• Yelling and shouting, totaling $200 - 2

• Obstructing an officer, totaling $500 - 1

Media requests for the identities individuals who received an AMP under Emergency Order No. 5 can be submitted directly to the City’s Corporate Records & Information Office at bjohnson@cityofkingston.ca.