Twelve people fined $2,000 each after Kingston police break up a house party in University District
Twelve people are facing $2,000 fines each after Kingston police and Kingston Bylaw Enforcement broke up an illegal house party in Kingston's University District.
Police and Bylaw Officers spent Friday night in the University District, enforcing the University District Safety Initiative imposed by the city of Kingston. The new emergency order includes increased penalties for attending illegal gatherings and new enforcement powers to discourage violations of social gathering limits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
At approximately 11:30 p.m. Friday, police and Bylaw Enforcement officers responded to a build-up of people at the intersection of University Avenue and Earl Street. The crowd was quickly dispersed, but officers heard "extremely loud music" and what appeared to be a large indoor party in one of the corner residences.
"The side entrance revealed a number of people on the porch, with the residence door wide open and a crowd of people in the kitchen," said Kingston police.
Police say three female tenants of the home told officers they did not feel they were over the COVID-19 mandated limit of 25 people indoors, which is the maximum capacity for indoor gatherings under Ontario's Reopening Act.
"A police supervisor had the tenants accompany him throughout the main and upper floors of the house, coming to a total of 25 people. When asked if there was a basement, the officer was advised it was more of a cellar and that no one would be down there," police said in a statement Saturday night. "Instead, the officer located four other partygoers hiding in the basement, including one behind a hot water tank, bringing the total to 29 people inside the residence. None of the occupants were seen wearing masks and social distancing was not being practiced."
Police say the supervisor declared the gathering as being an "aggravated nuisance party." The three tenants each received a $2,000 Administrative Monetary Penalties ticket for attending an aggravated nuisance party, while nine other partygoers were issued the same $2,000 ticket.
Police say Kingston Bylaw Enforcement was provided the names of the three tenants for possible charges under the Reopening of Ontario Act for being a host/organizer of an illegal gathering, which carries a maximum penalty of $10,000 each.
Kingston Police and Bylaw Enforcement responded to 50 noise complaints Friday night. Thirty-eight tickets were issued for Liquor Licence Act offences, seven tickets handed out for amplified sound and one ticket for yelling and shouting. Four people were arrested.
Kingston's new emergency order includes new Administrative Monetary Penalties for attending an aggravated nuisance party, from $500 to up to $2,000. There's also increased enforcement powers allowing officers to immediately issue fines for violations once a nuisance party has been declared.
Meantime, an 18-year-old Bradford, Ontario man is facing charges after being arrested Friday night.
Police say the individual was discovered with open alcohol on University Avenue near William Street.
"Officers advised him of their reason for stopping him, but then attempted to flee from officers. A brief foot pursuit resulted in his arrest for the Criminal Code offence of Obstruct Police, in addition to public intoxication," said Kingston police.
Police say one of the arresting officers observed that the suspect appeared to be the same male who on Sept. 3, "Attempted, while coming from behind, to place a bag over another Kingston police officer's head but fled the area before he could be arrested."
Police say the same officer was working Friday night, attended the scene and positively identified the suspect.
The 18-year-old is charged with Assaulting Police and Obstruct Police, in addition to Liquor Licence Act Offences.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Most of Canada to receive emergency alert test today
The federal government will test its capacity to issue emergency alerts today, with the exception of Ontario, where the test will take place on May 15.
'A huge difference': These adults born in the '90s partnered with their parents to buy homes in Ontario
An Ontario woman said it would have been impossible to buy a house without her mother – an anecdote that animates the fact that over 17 per cent of Canadian homeowners born in the ‘90s own their property with their parents, according to a new report.
OPINION No reunion between Prince Harry and the King signifies a setback for royal unity
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
Northern Ont. woman makes 'eggstraordinary' find
A chicken farmer near Mattawa made an 'eggstraordinary' find Friday morning when she discovered one of her hens laid an egg close to three times the size of an average large chicken egg.
How Drake and Kendrick Lamar's rap beef escalated within weeks
A long-simmering feud between hip-hop superstars Drake and Kendrick Lamar reached a boiling point in recent days as the pair traded increasingly personal insults on a succession of diss tracks. Here’s a quick overview of what’s behind the ongoing beef.
NEW For their protection, immigrants critical of China and India call for speedy passage of Canada's foreign interference legislation
Canadian immigrants threatened by hostile regimes are urging parliamentarians to quickly pass the 'Countering Foreign Interference Act' so they can feel safe living in their adopted home.
Ontario man devastated to learn $150,000 line of credit isn't insured after wife dies
An Ontario man found out that a line of credit he thought was insured actually isn't after his wife of 50 years died.
Spanish prosecutors recommend 2nd investigation into Shakira's taxes be thrown out
Spanish state prosecutors recommended Wednesday that an investigating judge shelve a probe into another alleged case of tax fraud by pop star Shakira.
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
With Donald Trump sitting just feet away, Stormy Daniels testified Tuesday at the former president's hush money trial about a sexual encounter the porn actor says they had in 2006 that resulted in her being paid to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.