Kingston Police disappointed with behaviours amid University District Safety Initiative

September 5, 2023

City Bylaw Enforcement and Kingston Police disappointed with behaviours amid University District Safety Initiative

The City of Kingston and Kingston Police are providing information on their efforts to enforce the University District Safety Initiative (UDSI) between Friday evening and Monday morning.

“Last weekend’s activities have shown an unsettling trend in reckless behaviours, as well as a lack of respect toward the community and all of its members,” says Acting Chief of Kingston Police, Scott Fraser. “We’re hopeful we will not see this same behavior next weekend. Our Police Liaison Teams (PLT) will continue to engage with both students and residents in the University District. We encourage students and all community residents to engage in conversations with PLT members to ensure future weekends are peaceful, lawful and safe for everyone.”

"We are disappointed in the recent unsanctioned parties hosted by individuals living in or visiting the University District. Over this past weekend, these parties created hostile environments for Bylaw Enforcement and other community partners whose primary responsibility is to respond to resident concerns and keep residents safe,” says Curtis Smith, Director of Licensing & Enforcement for the City.

“We will continue to inform property owners and tenants about their role in creating a community that is peaceful and enjoyable to live in, and issuing Administrative Monetary Penalties as required,” adds Smith.

Bylaw, Police and other community partners will continue their ongoing door-to-door campaigns to inform and raise awareness about the UDSI.

Bylaw Enforcement reports the following fines and charges:

• Friday Sept. 1 – 1 Nuisance Party Declaration, 20 $200 Amplified Sound Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs)
• Saturday Sept. 2 – 1 Nuisance Party Declaration, 65 $500 Failure to Leave AMPs, 16 $200 Amplified Sound AMPs
• Sunday Sept. 3 – 2 Nuisance Party Declarations, 6 $200 Amplified Sound AMPs

Kingston Police reports the following fines and charges:

• Liquor Licence Control Act: 295 Open Liquor, 24 Person Under 19 Consume Alcohol, 4 Public Intoxication Arrest/Charges
• Criminal Charges: 1 Mischief Under 5000
• Highway Traffic Act: 9 Charges

The University District Safety Initiative remains in effect until Sept. 10.

The University District Safety Initiative (UDSI) will be in effect until Sunday, Sept. 10 at 11:59 p.m. 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.

The City can issue AMPs for Nuisance Party and Noise bylaw infractions, meaning that fines for contravening these bylaws can now be issued and resolved directly through the City.

Kingston Police and City Bylaw Enforcement Officers still issue fines through the standard process, meaning that a fine under the Nuisance Party Bylaw could still result in a Part One Court Summons and a mandatory court appearance.

Learn more about the many City measures in place to discourage unsanctioned large gatherings, including the Noise and Nuisance Party bylaws and the University District Safety Initiative.