New enforcement measures for major student gatherings are underway, a shift that’s drawing concern from the AMS.
The City is proposing the appointment of five senior enforcement officers as special constables, granting them limited police powers on City-owned property such as parks, municipal buildings, and streets. The report—introduced by Chief Administrative Officer Lanie Hurdle and seconded by Commissioner of Growth and Development Paige Agnew—aims to strengthen response and safety within Kingston. The report was approved by the council on June 17.
In an interview with The Journal, AMS Commissioner of External Affairs Edlira Balija and Vice-President (University Affairs) Alyssa Perisa said the news came with little time to prepare, only being informed four days before the committee meeting.
Perisa also expressed specific concerns for students, adding that there was still vagueness and questions about how the city will ensure students understand the new role of special constable.
“These constables may look and act like police, but there’s been no communication about how students will understand their rights,” Perisa said. “Especially with a new position most students have never heard of, there’s uncertainty about what they’re allowed to do—and what students are allowed to say or not say.”
Balija and Perisa worry the plan marks a departure from educational and harm-reduction-based strategies that they claim have led to more positive results in relation to punitive enforcement. According to Kingston Police data, provincial offences during Homecoming and FOCO dropped from 262 in 2023 to 73 in 2024, and bylaw penalties from 135 in 2023 to 49 in 2024—a decline Perisa emphasized wasn’t due to increased enforcement.
Instead, she attributed the progress to harm-reduction strategies the AMS has prioritized, such as education-focused social media campaigns, on-campus booths, and outreach efforts aimed at strengthening relationships between students, the city, and Kingston Police.
Balija and Perisa brought their concerns directly to councillors at the June 17 meeting, speaking and taking questions from Councillors. Two days later, they followed up in separate conversations with bylaw officials and some council members to continue discussing issues. Both were optimistic about these conversations, but still think there is work and active consultation to be done.
The motion, which has now been passed, authorizes staff to begin the process of appointing five senior enforcement officials as special constables. After applying to the Solicitor General for approval, the Kingston Police Services Board will formally appoint five staff. Once appointed, these constables could be deployed during high-risk or complex enforcement scenarios, such as large unsanctioned gatherings or major events, particularly when police are delayed or unavailable.
Beyond improving response times, the City also cites persistent challenges in managing large-scale gatherings, encampments, and other high-risk scenarios as reasons for the proposal, according to Council Report 25-169. Based on the report, it’s meant to be a proactive solution to reduce reliance on police and third-party security during student-heavy weekends, such as Homecoming or St. Patrick’s Day.
Kyle Compeau, director of licensing and enforcement, defended the proposal in a statement to The Journal.
“The special constable model is seen as a means to better protect staff while enhancing the City’s ability to manage public order and safety proactively,” Campeau wrote. “The City is currently working with Kingston Police to finalize governance, training, and deployment protocols, in alignment with the requirements under the Community Safety and Policing Act.”
The Kingston City Council voted 9 to 1, passing the special constables’ motion on June 17. Now that the motion has passed, city staff will work with Kingston Police to draft emergency response protocols, establish a records system, and finalize agreements outlining oversight and reporting responsibilities. A formal application will then be submitted to the Solicitor General, alongside a training and implementation plan. If approved, the special constables could be in place by the end of 2025.
– With files from Meghrig Milkon
Tags
AMS Advocacy, city council, First Year in Focus, Special Constables
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