Despite the ongoing construction on Aberdeen St., the University District was painted green during last weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
The Kingston Police handed out last year’s $25,450. From March 14 to 18, the University District Safety Initiative was in effect, allowing the City of Kingston to give out increased fines for both nuisance parties and noise violations.
According to the Kingston Police’s posts on X, the police were called to a nuisance party at 358 Johnson St., where four fines, each $2,000, were distributed. Police were also called to 377 Earl St. to lay three fines worth $2,000 each. Kingston bylaw officers gave out an additional $34,000 in fines for various infractions on Saturday.
Parties took place across the University District, with road closures at Aberdeen St., William St., and Earl St.—blocking off the main, high-traffic area. Kingston Bylaw officers were able to issue fines for nuisance party infractions, noise bylaw offences such as yelling and shouting, and for failing to leave the premises after the police declare a nuisance party. These fines ranged from $100 to $2,000.
In trend with prior years, the AMS implemented harm reduction efforts this St Patrick’s Day, hosting a food truck outside of Ontario Hall handing out free food for students alongside a booth with Gatorade and snacks.
In an interview with The Journal, Commissioner of Campus Affairs Roan Haggerty-Goede, HealthSci ’25, spoke about the amount of food they provided along with their budget.
The AMS provided around 500 vouchers for free hot dogs from Bubbas and partnered with Bubble Tea and Dumpling Delights to offer over 1,000 dumplings and close to 500 spring rolls, Haggerty-Goede said. In total, they spent about $5,500 for all food and drinks.
“The whole goal there is from a harm reduction point of view, where we understand that ‘abstinence only’ sort of attitudes towards drinking aren’t effective. One, in curbing unsafe behaviours, but also making people feel like they’re valued as a member of the Queen’s community,” Haggerty-Goede said.
In an e-mail to The Journal, the City of Kingston claimed they’ll be releasing a more detailed breakdown of the fines istered during St. Patrick’s Day celebrations later this week.
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