Policing costs down over 50 per cent for Queen's move-in 2024

Kingston Police’s costs were significantly less during the 2024 Queen’s move-in period than during the same period in 2023, according to the local police service.

In advance of the Kingston Police Services Board meeting on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024, Chief of Police Scott Fraser has published a report summarizing police activities during the Queen’s move-In weekend 2024. Mainly attributed to overtime incurred by the enforcement team, total costs for both weekends came to $23,489.98, a 55.5 per cent reduction compared to last year’s costs of $52,823.

Fraser notes that the Friday of the first move-in weekend --- Friday, Aug. 30, 2024 --- was “quieter than anticipated."

However, there were still areas of concern, most notably at the Gord Downie Pier on King Street. Due to the University District Safety Initiative (UDSI), the pier was closed and fenced off every night from 8 p.m. until 6:30 a.m. However, Fraser indicates “an influx of people bypassing the barriers and entering the area, resulting in extra calls for bylaw and officers upstaffing," which refers to the adding of extra personnel.

Fraser also notes that the Hub entertainment district on Princess Street between Division and Barrie Streets was also significantly busy in the early Saturday morning hours with students, “presumably second to fourth year since move-in day had not yet occurred.”

Besides issues at the pier and “saturated numbers" in the Hub area, the demeanour of the students on Friday was “generally good,” Fraser notes, with people “milling about and exploring but not causing significant problems” beyond a few Liquor Control Act infractions.

He writes that Saturday “was significantly busier with approximately 3,000 students taking over University [Avenue] by 10:15 p.m.” Fraser reports that with only six upstaffing officers and City of Kingston bylaw officers available, the incident commander directed the officers to contain the area for public safety. The crowds were likely made worse after an event on Tindall Field ended, he says, and while there were no fireworks or projectiles involved on Saturday, Fraser states that “the attitude from students was that of transient and loitering drunken behaviour.”

City of Kingston bylaw personnel expressed some concern when the area was not declared a “nuisance party," Fraser notes. However, given the resources available, the decision was made to limit the risk of harm to attendees and officers through containment and selective enforcement. Liquor enforcement was conducted on the outskirts, and two Queen's-related arrests were made, according to the police chief's report.

The pier was an issue yet again on Saturday, Fraser writes, “but students were peaceful and not causing problems.” He notes that a few individuals from “a criminal sub-culture element were spotted loitering in and around the grounds. They were dealt with and moved along.”

Of particular concern in Fraser's report was the construction area on Aberdeen Street, with multiple students entering the site, climbing on equipment, and loitering. There was also a large crater-like area at the corner of Earl and Aberdeen Streets, "described as a 'swimming pool,'” which the chief notes “has and will continue to pose a significant risk to public safety. The City of Kingston should consider expediting construction in this area prior to Homecoming, or it will be a safety concern and pose issues for police and bylaw on many levels.”

There were no street gatherings on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2024. However, the chief notes that there was an unusual congregation at the Victoria Hall residence, where around 900 students gathered on the front lawn of the complex. Queen’s Campus Security did call in out of concern due to sheer numbers, but the students were peaceful and not causing problems, so police action was not required.

Fraser also notes that some traffic enforcement was required for unruly drivers after “kids” were caught "showing off with their vehicles and driving irresponsibly." A significant number of Highway Traffic Act infractions were laid as a result.

On the second weekend, Queen's held a Friday evening (September 6) outdoor concert on its property near University Avenue and Union Street. Following the concert's conclusion, Fraser notes that many students made their way towards the University District and the Hub entertainment district. Less than ideal weather resulted in most students moving indoors, which prevented a street gathering, the report says, adding that the extra officers available for the night were not required after midnight and therefore ended their shifts early. There were no major issues reported by the officers or the bylaw department, the police chief says in the report.

On Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024, Fraser notes, there was a Queen’s football game in the afternoon at Richardson Stadium, as well as a semi-formal held at Grant Hall which attracted a lot of students and kept them away from the University District. The semi-formal event concluded at 11 p.m. and there were no significant issues to report.

Fraser writes, “It should be noted that the 'two-tiered approach' has been very well received by students. In fact, many of the officers who were in attendance relayed the same information. As in the past, we are utilizing Part III summonses to allow for the potential of higher fines and in-person court appearances. Due to the volume issues at court, the summonses are being reserved for the most egregious behaviour, and other fines are being issued on regular offence notices (tickets).”

Police laid 163 charges for Liquor Licence and Control Act violations, as well as 24 Highway Traffic Act charges.

Bylaw officers issued 105 tickets for failure to abide by signage, four for amplified sound, and 42 for yelling and shouting.

For the two weekends, fines laid by Kingston Police enforcement officers totalled $19,535, and fines laid by City of Kingston bylaw officers totalled $16,920.

Fraser noted that Kingston Police expenses for the Queen’s move-in were mainly attributed to overtime incurred by the Enforcement Team. Some minor costs were incurred for equipment, supplies, or meals that have not been posted and calculated at this time. The total overtime cost for both weekends is $23,489.98, a 55.5 per cent reduction compared to last year’s costs of $52,823.

This report will be presented at the Kingston Police Services Board's next meeting on Thursday, Sept. 19, 2024.