Annual St. Patrick’s Day festivities engulfed the University District over the weekend.
Students took to the streets on March 16 to celebrate, resulting in $25,400 in fines. Police shut down a nuisance party on Aberdeen St. between 2 and 3 p.m., saying attendees were “mostly respectful and cooperative,” dispersing quicker than in previous years, according to a press release.
“This compliance will allow the Kingston Police to pivot from enforcement to crowd management as we move forward,” Kingston Police Chief Scott Fraser said in a press release.
The weekend “was the best in recent memory” for Kingston Police in the wake of its infamous reputation for rampant partying and an elevated police presence.
READ MORE: The University District Safety Initiative is back
Despite positive reviews, police issued $6,300 more in fines than last year. Last year, 47 fines totalling $19,100 were issued over the weekend, compared to the 46 fines with a $25,400 price tag issued this year.
Twenty-two of the issued fines were for amplified sound or “yelling and shouting.” Police laid six $2,000 fines for hosting nuisance parties.
Kingston Police issued 101 liquor license violations, resulting in court summons, and two charges of public intoxication, resulting in one arrest. There were no serious safety concerns at the event, said Kyle Compeau, City of Kingston manager of enforcement, in a press release.
Compeau attributed students’ cooperation to the liaison teams outreaching to students about the University District Safety Initiative (UDSI) leading up to St. Patrick’s Day.
The UDSI is implemented during peak times for nuisance parties, increasing the price of the fines handed out. It was in effect from March 11 to 18.
Queen’s brought in extra security over the weekend to stop St. Patrick’s Day attendees from bringing alcohol into university buildings. Security personnel conducted bag checks in Mitchell Hall, the Queen’s Centre, Stauffer Library, and the Athletics and Recreation Centre.
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