Post by kelvin on Sept 27, 2008 22:06:15 GMT -5
www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080927.wqueens0927/BNStory/National/home?cid=al_gam_mostview
The Canadian Press
September 27, 2008 at 8:07 PM EDT
KINGSTON — Kingston mobilized every available officer on its police force Saturday as the city geared up for the rowdy festivities that have coincided with the annual homecoming weekend at Queen's University.
The Kingston force's 200-plus officers were reinforced by officers from Belleville and the Ontario Provincial Police.
By early Saturday, authorities had already made 34 arrests for public intoxication and issued 187 tickets for alcohol-related infractions.
Ambulances rushed to assist at least a half dozen people suffering cuts from broken glass and one seriously intoxicated young woman.
“Booze and bravado, it's just a recipe for disaster,” said Constable Michael Menor, a Kingston police spokesman.
He said police will be using surveillance cameras to zero in on illegal behaviour, but not exert undue force or aggression.
“They'll react to it, they're not going to bring it.”
To the ire of local residents, police anticipated that upward of 7,000 people were planning to flock to party in the heart of the student village – some coming from as far as Vancouver, Halifax and the United States.
Queen's won the afternoon varsity football game against the University of Western Ontario, which one student government representative says may affect how the night unfolds.
“I think students are going to be excited about that,” Paul Tye said. “We'd be kidding ourselves if we didn't think people wanted to celebrate.”
During the mammoth gathering, Mr. Tye will join a group of 200 to 300 students, alumni and concerned citizens patrolling the crowds. They will encourage safety by providing plastic cups in exchange for beer bottles, handing out free water and adding a friendly but formal presence.
”Our fear is that somebody is going to get hurt or killed – that's our greatest fear,” said volunteer George Hood, a retired former vice-principal for Queen's.
In 2005, revellers flipped and burned a car and threw beer bottles at police.
To prevent that from happening again, Kingston Beer Stores refused to sell beer kegs to students this weekend and the city's council voted to close the street where the gathering occurs.
Mr. Tye said while there's “inevitably” going to be turnout, there's sentiment among some students the event needs to be stopped.
“They're realizing this problem is embarrassing – it's affecting their diploma and their reputation,” he said.
The Canadian Press
September 27, 2008 at 8:07 PM EDT
KINGSTON — Kingston mobilized every available officer on its police force Saturday as the city geared up for the rowdy festivities that have coincided with the annual homecoming weekend at Queen's University.
The Kingston force's 200-plus officers were reinforced by officers from Belleville and the Ontario Provincial Police.
By early Saturday, authorities had already made 34 arrests for public intoxication and issued 187 tickets for alcohol-related infractions.
Ambulances rushed to assist at least a half dozen people suffering cuts from broken glass and one seriously intoxicated young woman.
“Booze and bravado, it's just a recipe for disaster,” said Constable Michael Menor, a Kingston police spokesman.
He said police will be using surveillance cameras to zero in on illegal behaviour, but not exert undue force or aggression.
“They'll react to it, they're not going to bring it.”
To the ire of local residents, police anticipated that upward of 7,000 people were planning to flock to party in the heart of the student village – some coming from as far as Vancouver, Halifax and the United States.
Queen's won the afternoon varsity football game against the University of Western Ontario, which one student government representative says may affect how the night unfolds.
“I think students are going to be excited about that,” Paul Tye said. “We'd be kidding ourselves if we didn't think people wanted to celebrate.”
During the mammoth gathering, Mr. Tye will join a group of 200 to 300 students, alumni and concerned citizens patrolling the crowds. They will encourage safety by providing plastic cups in exchange for beer bottles, handing out free water and adding a friendly but formal presence.
”Our fear is that somebody is going to get hurt or killed – that's our greatest fear,” said volunteer George Hood, a retired former vice-principal for Queen's.
In 2005, revellers flipped and burned a car and threw beer bottles at police.
To prevent that from happening again, Kingston Beer Stores refused to sell beer kegs to students this weekend and the city's council voted to close the street where the gathering occurs.
Mr. Tye said while there's “inevitably” going to be turnout, there's sentiment among some students the event needs to be stopped.
“They're realizing this problem is embarrassing – it's affecting their diploma and their reputation,” he said.