Queen's Homecoming 2024 successfully policed for $100,000 under budget

Homecoming is one of Queen's University’s most celebrated traditions, but it has also been one of its most maligned over the years. However, according to Kingston Police, this year was a significant improvement.

Kingston Police published its Queen’s Homecoming 2024 Report before the Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, meeting of the Kingston Police Services Board. However, due to a packed agenda, Inspector Greg Sands’s presentation on the report was pushed to next month. Still, it was easy to see that Chief of Police Scott Fraser was impressed and happy with Sands's work, especially since the operations were more than $100,000 under budget.

“I have to tip my hat to the organizers and the commanders this year of Queen’s Homecoming and 'Fauxcoming,'” Chief Fraser said of the report. “Greg Sands, who oversaw the overall command, did a tremendous job assisting our financial department. He also does a tremendous job with our core team and the people who plan this in ensuring that we have a safe event.”

“We've promised the community that we're trying to reduce our footprint… that we would be fiscally responsible for the money. And I can tell you that Greg came in [at more than] $100,000 under budget,” the chief enthused, noting that the figure included Saint Patrick's Day, Homecoming, and a weekend of “fake homecoming” parties. "Accolades to our command staff, civilians, and uniform officers.”

Fraser reiterated, “Next month, we’re going to have a presentation outlining how it all happened. I won't steal all Greg’s thunder right now, but you did a tremendous job, Inspector Sands.”

Details of the report

The report notes that based on the success of the 2023 event, Kingston Police felt it appropriate to maintain the same mission statement: “Using an integrated response, the Kingston Police, along with policing and City partners, will keep the peace, enforce legislation and maintain public safety for the duration of the 2024 Queen’s Homecoming Event with the utmost respect to the individuals' [rights under the] Charter of Rights and Freedoms with priority on community and emergency services personnel safety and wellbeing.” 

For this mission to be accomplished, the police recognized pre-emptive measures were required at the onset of the Queen’s move-in weekend and subsequent weekends leading up to Queen’s Homecoming. Six “Deployment Pre-emptive Strategies” were identified and employed. 

These included a social media blitz before Homecoming to discourage illegal behaviour and unsanctioned gatherings and educate the public about the negative impacts of these behaviours on the Kingston community. Members of the Police Liaison Team (PLT) also engaged with community members in the University District to provide consistent education and messaging. Police gathered intelligence and monitored online activity before and during the events. Enforcement strategies included early and continuous alcohol interdiction and firm enforcement of municipal, provincial, and federal statutes to manage illegal activities and suppress public disorder.

The report explains that data and intelligence collected at previous years’ events were helpful in developing operational plans for the Queen’s move-In weekend, orientation week, and subsequent weekends leading up to and including Queen’s Homecoming.

According to the report, this year’s Queen's Homecoming was scheduled for October 18 and 19, 2024, at the end of the fall Reading Week. Police Liaison teams noted there were fewer students to speak with because of the reading break, and information from various sources indicated that there would be some partying, but not to a significant degree. There was information that students were planning a Fake Homecoming, also known as “Fauxcoming,” for the following weekend (October 26, 2024).

Police reported that “October 18 and 19 saw no significant events. There were some small house parties, but this Homecoming weekend looked like what a Homecoming weekend should.” Many alumni were observed throughout the city, and the Homecoming football game was sold out and well attended with no police-related issues. “Over the course of the weekend, most students in attendance were respectful to the police.” 

Charges for the weekend of October 18, 2024, included 50 Open Liquor charges contrary to the Liquor Licence Control Act (LLCA), two Public Intoxication charges contrary to the LLCA, and seven Highway Traffic Act charges, for a total of 67. Bylaw Enforcement fined 24 individuals for amplified sound and yelling-related offences.

Fauxcoming occurred on October 26, 2024, and the report notes that this day saw much more pedestrian traffic in the University District. There were several house/backyard parties; however, it was noted that students and attendees were polite and cooperative. Streets remained open to vehicular and pedestrian traffic. The event was limited to the daytime, and police operations ended at 8 p.m. 

Charges for the weekend beginning Friday, Oct. 25, 2024, totalled only six for Open Liquor, contrary to LLCA. Bylaw Enforcement issued  25 monetary penalties: 10 for hosting a nuisance party, 14 for amplified sound, and one for yelling and shouting.

The report notes, “The initiation of our Police Liaison Teams, which were deployed weeks in advance of the Homecoming event, coupled with a strong enforcement initiative, led to an overall positive weekend in the University District. It should be noted that most students/attendees encountered were polite, cooperative, and respectful.”

“Providing a necessary measured police response since student move-in throughout October put considerable strain on all of our members,” the report goes on. “Our sworn personnel worked many long hours, often on overtime. All of our members --- both sworn and civilian --- should be commended for their hard work and professionalism. We are very fortunate to have strong community partners including Queen’s University, Frontenac Paramedics, Kingston Health Sciences Centre, Kingston Fire & Rescue, Neighbouring Police Services and City of Kingston Bylaw and other City services who worked with us in the preceding weeks and over the weekend to ensure safety for the entire community.”

The total costs for policing both Homecoming and Fauxcoming were reported at $253,000, a 29 per cent reduction from last year’s total of $359,000. Although two events required policing support this year compared to only one last year, total costs decreased by $106,000.

 The report notes that several cost management measures were implemented, including shift changes to minimize overtime expenses, limiting hours worked, and reducing additional staffing support from other police agencies. “This outcome reflects a careful balance between maintaining public safety and effectively controlling costs," the report states.

The Kingston Police Services Board meets regularly on the third Thursday of each month, beginning at 12 noon in the William Hackett Boardroom at Kingston Police Headquarters, 705 Division Street.