Ottawa police, bylaw prepare for Panda Game following last year's post-game street party
Ottawa police are vowing to take a zero tolerance approach for public disorder during Panda Game festivities this year, after last year's post-game celebrations saw thousands of people attend a street party in Sandy Hill and damage to property.
The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees and the Carleton Ravens will meet in the 53rd Panda Game Saturday at TD Place. The game is officially sold out.
Hours after the Gee-Gees won last year's game, approximately 2,000 people packed a residential street in Sandy Hill to celebrate the victory. During the celebrations, police said a car was overturned, properties were damaged and one person was assaulted, while paramedics said seven people were transported to hospital.
Eight people were charged with mischief, and two people were charged with taking part in a riot.
With the events of last year still fresh in residents' minds, Ottawa police and Bylaw Services officers have been going door-to-door in the Sandy Hill/ByWard Market area to speak with residents and businesses about police plans for the day, and to speak with students about possible festivities.
"We've been doing some outreach in the community with our team of police liaison officers," Const. Seb. Lemay told Newstalk 580 CFRA's Ottawa at Work with Patricia Boal.
"They've been canvassing the neighbourhood; liaising with the community members and hearing their concerns, and obviously identifying some addresses which might be problematic, which we will be monitoring. As well as some visits have been made in terms of education and warning that there will be zero tolerance over this weekend for any infractions."
Lemay says police have been meeting with community groups and representatives of Carleton University and the University of Ottawa to discuss plans for the Panda Game.
The University of Ottawa released its plan for a fun, safe and respectful Homecoming Weekend and Panda Game on Thursday, dubbed "Taming the Panda."
Messaging to students include:
- Celebrate Homecoming Weekend and the Panda Game with respect.
- "Please stay away from residential neighbourhood streets. Many establishments in the city are hosting Panda-related events," uOttawa said.
The University of Ottawa tells students and alumni that, "destruction of property, illegal parties, disorderly conduct and acts of violence will not be tolerated" by Ottawa police.
Ottawa police interim chief Steve Bell told the Ottawa Police Services Board on Monday that police and bylaw will have a "significant and sustained presence" in the ByWard Market, Sandy Hill and Old Ottawa South this weekend for the Panda Game.
"We're aware of several addresses that have previously raised concerns and we'll monitor them," Bell said.
Lemay tells Newstalk 580 CFRA that police do not want to ruin students fun, and the "goal is to ensure public safety for everyone."
"As we've said, our presence from the Ottawa Police Service prospective will be robust and that will be through the weekend, obviously starting on Friday with some parties that might start the day before," Lemay said Wednesday.
"We want people to have fun, but we just want them to do so in a respectful manner of, again, their neighbours in a lawful way and in a way that's safe for them as well."
TD Place has announced rules and a Fan Code of Conduct for Saturday's game. The rules include:
- One drink per purchase per person
- No Bags or Umbrellas
- No Re-Entry into TD Place
- Zero Tolerance for Intoxication or Harmful Behaviour
RESIDENTS CONCERNED, COUNCILLOR SAYS
The councillor for Sandy Hill and the ByWard Market says residents are concerned in the lead up to Saturday's Panda Game, following last year's events.
Coun. Mathieu Fleury says partners are "more connected than ever" in preparations for the game and festivities surrounding the event, noting uOttawa has embarked on a "fulsome communications campaign" with students.
"I am cautiously optimistic that all will go well, and all our hard work will pay off. After all, the Panda Game is a football game at TD Place. Unfortunately, it has come to represent a major risk for residents' safety and well-being in Sandy Hill," Fleury said on Thursday.
Fleury says the cost for policing the Panda Game event are being funded by tuition fees and ticket sales.
"This should serve as a reminder to party safely and respectfully, it is on students to hold each other accountable and act like responsible adults," Fleury said on Twitter.
A pre-game tailgate party will be held at the Sandy Hill arena on Saturday.
"Most students are responsible. Those who choose to cause destruction stand to risk the game for everyone," Fleury said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.
All Alberta wildfires to date in 2024 believed to be human-caused: province
There are 63 wildfires burning in Alberta's forest protection area as of Wednesday morning and seven mutual aid fires, including one in the Municipal District of Peace.
Pilot proposes to flight attendant girlfriend in front of passengers
A Polish pilot proposed to his flight attendant girlfriend during a flight from Warsaw to Krakow, and she said yes.
Suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery caught on video
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.