As Kingston prepares to welcome students in the fall, the City of Kingston, Kingston Police, and the University are gearing up to re-enact the University District Safety Initiative (UDSI).
The UDSI, a permanent program since July 2019, takes effect during move-in and orientation week, spanning Aug. 29 at 11:59 p.m. to Sept. 9 at 11:59 p.m. While the City and Police are waiting until late August or early September to release a t statement to media outlining the specifics of this fall’s UDSI, the AMS is already discussing ways to keep students informed on how to party safe.
“[The AMS] is making active strides so students are informed,” said Vice President (University Affairs) Ruth Osunde in an interview with The Journal. “If there’s one thing Queen’s students do, it’s work hard [and] party hard. But we can party hard safely.”
Osunde is familiar with the strict regulations surrounding loud noises, open liquor, and nuisance parties during UDSI.
“Last Homecoming, I had a friend who got a ticket literally because she was singing in the street at 12 a.m. in the morning after coming out of a party. Everything counts,” Osunde said.
To discourage disruptive behaviour and alleviate strain on emergency services caused by large street parties and other unsanctioned gatherings, the Kingston Police and City bylaw officials can issue an istrative Monetary Penalty (AMP) up to $2000 for hosting nuisance parties during UDSI.
Students may find themselves in court if they host a nuisance party, use a speaker or yell during prohibited times, possess or drink alcohol while underage, carry open containers of alcohol, and appear intoxicated in public.
Students may be handed a Part 1 Court Summons for unsanctioned behaviour that falls under the Nuisance Party Bylaw, the Noise Bylaw, and Ontario’s Liquor Licence and Control Act. The offender is required to appear at the Kingston Courthouse for a hearing overseen by a Justice of the Peace. If found guilty, the offense will not appear on their criminal record.
The AMS will ensure students are informed about their legal rights and responsibilities through the Know Your Rights Campaign. The campaign will be shared on AMS social media s and boothing will take place in the ARC the week before UDSI goes into effect on Homecoming and St. Patrick’s Day.
READ MORE: AMS wants students to know their rights with police
Less penalties were given out last year compared to previous years, Osunde highlighted. She credited the decrease to the AMS’s harm reduction efforts and their push to make students aware of their rights.
With orientation quickly approaching, Osunde stressed the importance of collaboration between the AMS, City, and Police to deliver the right resources about UDSI sanctions to students.
“The University is not the student’s enemy, neither are the police,” Osunde said. “Everybody involved wants students to have fun in a safe way.”
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