On Saturday night in Hamilton, police were called to numerous unauthorised homecoming events.
Residents in the Westdale and Ainslie Woods neighbourhoods were warned by Hamilton police to expect a significant police presence on Saturday “to address a planned big unapproved street assembly.”
Police reported a nuisance party on Dalewood Avenue between Westwood and Haddon avenues at around 5:15 p.m.
Police tweeted, “Attendees are hereby ordered to disperse or face fines under the Nuisance Party Bylaw.”
Police later stated that they were attempting to “disperse gatherings around the Westdale neighbourhoods” at around 10:10 p.m.
A zero-tolerance bylaw was originally proposed by Hamilton City Council to prohibit parties in the university district from September 28 to October 2.
The first-time offender’s fine “could be somewhere from $500, all the way up to $10,000, depending on the severity of what is occurring,” according to Monica Ciriello, director of licencing and bylaw services for Hamilton.
It wouldn’t just be the guest; “it would apply to an individual that is hosting, supporting, or promoting,” she said.
The City of Hamilton’s nuisance party bylaw includes public intoxication and urination, property damage, excessive noise, impeding traffic, unlawful open burning, and the use of pyrotechnics illegally among other behaviours.
Around 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, a second nuisance party was proclaimed on Gary Avenue between Westwood Avenue and Main Street West. A gathering caused a portion of Main Street West to be temporarily shut between 11:10 and 11:30 p.m., according to police.
Global News was informed by a Hamilton police official that it was unlikely that any arrest or ticket statistics would be available until Monday.
The spokesperson responded, “Data on the unofficial huge gathering have yet to be collected, and will be supplied to the community when available.
Police reported that up to 5,000 individuals congregated there in 2021. Charges were filed after officers reported overturned automobiles and property damage.
Unauthorized street gatherings put an unnecessary burden on our hospitals and all of our emergency services, according to Supt. Dave Hennick.
Since 2019, McMaster University has not approved any Hamilton homecoming events.
The announcement read, “In keeping with this custom, there will be no homecoming football game or other university celebrations this year.”
— Including documents from Ken Mann and Ryan Rocca.
Hamilton police deal with several “nuisance” parties near universities.
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