While students settled in during the two-week orientation period, Kingston Police and City of Kingston officials responded to off-campus misconduct, issuing fines and dispersing large crowds across the University District.
The University District Safety Initiative (UDSI) was in effect from Aug. 28 to Sept. 13 during orientation period. The initiative is a partnership between Kingston Police, the City of Kingston, and Queen’s aimed at reducing disruptive behaviour during periods of large crowd gatherings. While the UDSI was in effect, bylaw enforcement officers and Kingston Police had an increased presence in the University District and existing laws and bylaws could be enforced differently.
READ MORE: UDSI takes effect as students return to campus
In a statement to The Journal, Kingston Police said police and bylaw presence was increased wherever possible throughout University District.
“One street takeover [was] contained by police and bylaw on Saturday, Sept. 5, with approximately 5,000 students,” the police said. As a result, Kingston Police declared a nuisance party on University Avenue between Earl Street and Johnson Street. A nuisance party is a designation for large gatherings that disrupt public safety or surrounding neighbourhoods.
On Sept. 6, 2,000 students gathered on Bader Lane, according to Kingston Police. The police said the gathering was contained by their officers and Campus Security and Emergency Services and was not declared a nuisance party.
The police added that approximately 6,000 people gathered at the pier on Sept. 7 for Labour Day.
Kingston Police said most infractions during the UDSI period were alcohol related. 68 Liquor Licence and Control Act offences were issued for open liquor, underage possession or consumption of alcohol, and public intoxication.
In addition, six Highway Traffic Act infractions and two Drive Suspensions were recorded. Nine large house parties were dispersed by officers on Sept. 11, but no tickets were issued.
In a statement to The Journal, the City of Kingston said that among the most common by-law violations were noise violations and trespassing at the pier after hours. The City issued a total of $2,600 in fines for the two offences throughout the UDSI period, each carrying a penalty of $200.
In interviews with The Journal, multiple students spoke to their experiences during the UDSI period.
Morgan Koladich, CompSci ’28, said that he saw a similar amount of police presence around the University District to last year, but felt officers were being stricter when enforcing violations.
On the other hand Shaun Jiang, ConEd ’29, said he did not feel there was a heavy police presence.
In line with the fines given out by the City, Casey Overall, CompSci ’28, said he saw many people jumping the fence to the Gord Edgar Downie Pier after hours.
According to the police, during the UDSI period a student who could not swim well nearly drowned after jumping into the water at the pier. The student was pulled out of the water by other students without life threatening injuries.
Kingston Police said students were respectful this year and that interactions have improved over the years. Police described the mood among the student crowds as “celebratory and jovial.”
Tags
bylaw, Kingston Police, Orientation 2026, UDSI
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