Heavy police presence planned for McMaster area Saturday, with new anti-street-party bylaw in effect

Hamilton Police Service(HPS) says residents in the Westdale and Ainslie Woods neighbourhoods, near McMaster University, should "expect a significant police presence" this weekend, in an effort to curb any unofficial homecoming street parties near campus.

Police say that last year, up to 5,000 people gathered for a "fake homecoming" event, which police say was an "unsanctioned street gathering" that caused property damage, most notably a flipped car, and led to arrests.

Hamilton police said then they arrested and charged two individuals for Liquor Licence Act offences, and five individuals for "breach of the peace/cause disturbance," during the parties. A total of 13 were arrested, some charged with mischief over $5,000.

'Nuisance'bylaw being enforced

Earlier this month, Hamilton city council unanimously passed the nuisance party bylaw, which allows police and bylaw officials to hand out harsher penalties.

"If charged, an individual host, property owner, or attendee can face up to $10,000 for a first offence and $25,000 for any subsequent offence related to a nuisance party," the city said in a media release on Sept. 14.

In addition to the bylaw, a specialUniversity District Safety Initiative will be in effect around campus from Wednesday until Sunday night. The initiativeprompts "zero-tolerance enforcement"during a specified time, date, and location.

Police saythere will be firefighters, paramedics, bylaw officers, parking enforcement officials, and special constables with McMaster security on duty on Saturday.

Supt. Dave Hennick said in an HPS news release that"unsanctioned street gatherings are unsafe and result in unnecessary demands on all of our emergency services, including our hospitals," adding that a large event poses "significant safety risks to those in attendance."

Police say the bylaw "makes it illegal to host, attend, orpermit," large, unsanctioned gatherings,or "continue or refuse to leave an area, once it has been declared a nuisance."

The bylaw also makes the hosts of "nuisance parties" liable for the costs of first responders, law enforcement officials or city workers responding to the parties.

Police say unsanctioned gatherings can result in "unreasonable noise, loud music, shouting, littering, damage or destruction ofproperty, public drunkenness or disorderly conduct" that put the community at risk.

McMaster warns students

"Socializing with friends is a normal and exciting part of student life especially since we've been away from each other for such a long time," McMaster Student Union presidentSimranjeetSingh said in a video posted Thursday on McMaster's social media.

"However, our community is highly integrated, and everyone is entitled to safety and comfort within our many neighbourhoods... As you form many memorable social bonds, please ensure that you're compassionate to all of those around you."

McMaster University's dean of students, Sean Van Koughnett,posted another video onTwitter showing him walking down Dalewood Avenue on Tuesday. In the video, he said, he was informing students of the new bylaw.

"We know the risk [street parties pose]to health and safety," Van Koughnett said in the video.

Van Koughnettsaid last yearthe university also has the ability to expel students "if the behaviour warrants it."

McMaster University told students onSept. 14the university "has not sanctioned a homecomingsince 2019,"and that "McMaster does not support these types of activities... which can also attract large numbers of people from outside the city."

"This is a challenge many cities are facing, not just Hamilton," McMaster said.

Last weekend, London Police Servicehad to call in officers from York Region and HPS to assist with an estimated crowd of 20,000 peopleattending Western University's "fake homecoming."

London paramedics respondedto 76 calls in 24 hours, with28 people sent to the hospital.

$10k fine 'a bit extreme' but may work: student

Cassandra Bozzo is a third year social work major at McMaster University, and lives near the school. She said last year she had to tolerate the partying and this year she supports the extrapolice presence.

"I know it's likely problematic to say I support the police presence but past homecomings have been a safety issue for both students and residents," she said.

"Students block the surrounding streets and cars are unable to get through.... Someone needs to control it," she said.

Darius Caimac is a third-year McMaster student who attended events last year. He is planning on celebrating this weekend but is planning on "keeping it more chill" by staying indoors with friends.

Caimac told CBC Hamilton he thought the $10,000 fine is "really scary and really high" and "a bit extreme" but"it will ensure that people are not acting disrespectful" and he's not sure "what else can be done."

He said he suspects some people will still be out,however.

"The only way to control such an event is having the school host one where student IDs are scanned and only McMaster students can attend."