Queen's University condemns 'reckless behaviour' during homecoming celebrations in Kingston, Ont.
The principal of Queen's University is condemning the "reckless behaviour of some students and individuals" after thousands of people packed the University District in Kingston, Ont. for homecoming celebrations.
Unsanctioned celebrations filled residential streets near the campus of Queen's University Saturday afternoon and evening, with another large gathering reported in a city park early Sunday morning.
Kingston police, with assistance from the Ontario Provincial Police riot squad and Durham Regional Police, moved in twice on Saturday to clear students from streets and homes after declaring an "aggravated nuisance party". One police officer was injured Saturday afternoon when beer cans and water bottles were thrown at police on patrol.
"The last twenty-four hours have seen our community seriously disrupted by the reckless behaviour of some of our students, as well as by other individuals who came here for the sole purpose of causing trouble," said Queen's Principal and Vice-Chancellor Patrick Deane in a statement Sunday morning.
"Thousands of people gathered throughout the day and night, ignoring the law and showing little or no respect or care for others."
Kingston police first reported large gatherings forming on Aberdeen Street just after 1 p.m. Less than 90 minutes later, approximately 8,000 people were in the area as police kept an eye on the festivities.
Saturday afternoon, police declared Aberdeen Street and William Street an "aggravated nuisance party" under the Mayor's Emergency Order, allowing officers to issue $2, 000 fines to people attending and hosting parties. Dozens of officers from the Kingston Police Service, Durham Regional Police and Ontario Provincial Police lined the streets to clear people out of the residential area.
The unsanctioned homecoming celebrations continued Saturday evening, with police declaring a second "aggravated nuisance party" in the area of University Avenue and Johnson Street just before 11 p.m.
Shortly before 2 a.m., Kingston police posted a video to Twitter showing hundreds of people in Victoria Park.
Police told CTV News Ottawa Saturday evening that a few arrests had been made, but no other details were available.
"Today we will be assessing the damage to our campus and the surrounding neighborhoods, working with student volunteers to clean up, and speaking with the City and local Police," said Deane.
"We know the last few years have been a struggle for young people, but such behaviour is dangerous, irresponsible, and ultimately inexcusable."
In a statement on Twitter, the Kingston Police Association condemned the incidents in the University District connected to homecoming.
"This behavior and total disregard for public safety is appalling. Our members and policing partners have been working around the clock," said the statement.
CTV News Ottawa has reached out to Kingston police to see if there were any charges or fines issued in connection to the homecoming celebrations.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stamp prices rise for the third time in five years amid financial woes for Canada Post
Canada Post is increasing stamp prices for the third time since 2019, a move the Crown corporation says is a "reality" of its sales-based revenue structure.
BREAKING Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, claims he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women in Winnipeg, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Trudeau Liberals to unveil new bill Monday aimed at countering foreign interference
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc will be tabling legislation on Monday aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada. Federal officials have scheduled a technical briefing on the incoming bill for Monday afternoon.
WATCH Avian flu: Risk to humans grows as outbreaks spread, warns expert
H5N1 or avian flu is decimating wildlife around the world and is now spreading among cattle in the United States, sparking concerns about 'pandemic potential' for humans. Now a health expert is urging Canada to scale up surveillance north of the border.
Human remains were found at a former Hitler base, but decay prevents determining the cause of death
Polish prosecutors have discontinued an investigation into human skeletons found at a site where German dictator Adolf Hitler and other Nazi leaders spent time during the Second World War because the advanced state of decay made it impossible to determine the cause of death, a spokesman said Monday.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
Ontario MPP asked again to leave Ontario legislature over keffiyeh, Speaker loosens ban
An Ontario MPP was asked again to leave the Ontario legislature on Monday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment that was banned by the Speaker last month due to its political symbolism.
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
Trump fined US$1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial fined him US$1,000 on Monday for violating his gag order once again and sternly warned the former president that additional violations could result in jail time.