Party response, Safe Semester cost $65K, tab sent to university: Guelph Police Board

The Guelph Police Providers Board is asking the University of Guelph to fork over $65,000 to pay for further prices associated to unlawful homecoming events and the Safe Semester program.

In a movement handed unanimously on Thursday, the board voted to request full reimbursement to cowl the price of bringing in 30 further officers on Sept. 25 to answer a massive gathering on Chancellors Means when upwards of two,500 folks gathered.

Throughout that occasion that lasted from roughly 5 p.m. to three a.m., police mentioned officers laid almost 50 prices and 7 had been despatched to hospital.

Guelph police estimate the day price them an additional $36,000.

Insp. Scott Grover, who oversaw Guelph police’s throughout homecoming, mentioned their response is being analyzed whereas additionally talking with different police companies about measures used to answer giant gatherings.

The board additionally referred to as on the college to pay for the Protected Semester program that the police service runs from the beginning of September to October at a value of about $29,500.

That program assigns further officers to the downtown core and the south finish, responding to unlawful events, public intoxication and open alcohol as college students return to campus.

“I consider that is the primary time a movement like this has ever come ahead however for my part, sufficient is sufficient. We now have to do that,” mentioned Mayor Cam Guthrie who additionally sits on the police board and launched the movement.

The board additionally voted to ascertain a funding association between Guelph police and the College of Guelph just like an settlement in Kingston.

Prior to now, Queen’s College has given the city money to assist with further prices of enforcement for occasions like homecoming and St. Patrick’s Day events, which have often devolved into large and unruly road events.

Normally, that cost is within the $100,000 vary, however Queen’s supplied up $350,000 this yr, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Queen’s College opens the pockets to assist Kingston cowl unbudgeted price of policing off campus events.

Guthrie’s movement goals for the funding association to cowl police prices associated to homecoming, Protected Semester, and another unsanctioned gatherings linked to the college.

The funding association is to be in place earlier than subsequent yr’s homecoming celebrations.

In an announcement late Thursday afternoon, the college mentioned it has a constructive relationship with the police service and the Metropolis of Guelph.

“We’re dedicated to working collaboratively with them, together with our U of G group, our neighbourhoods, group companions and others, to seek out efficient options to the problems related to unsanctioned road gatherings,” spokesperson Lori B

— With recordsdata from International Information’ Alexandra Mazur