Halifax Regional Police (HRP) responded to 869 calls for service this weekend. The two big events that occupied officers’ time were the Magnetic World Music Festival and Dalhousie University’s homecoming. Officers shut down 27 unsanctioned parties in neighbourhoods around Dalhousie University and issued 36 tickets under the Liquor Control Act. One 19-year-old man got his license suspended for seven days after police say he was operating an e-scooter impaired as well as not wearing a helmet. The force says each year they increase the police presence at these events. “Things are getting better there for those events. I think that’s strongly due to our public safety unit being present,” says Const. Martin Cromwell, with the Halifax Regional Police. “Our community response officers are out in full force.” Cromwell says officers go into the communities in the weeks leading up to homecoming and speak with students about these types of parties and the consequences that come with having them. CTV News sent an interview request to Dalhousie University Monday and did not hear back by deadline. The Dalhousie Student Union also declined to comment. Despite the trouble this weekend, the party pales in comparison to four years ago when the 2022 Dalhousie University Homecoming party made national headlines. There were 120 tickets issued that year, as well as arrests, fights, bonfires and injuries, including a stabbing. “Those events likely assisted with the larger police presence and listening to the community in whole about their concerns and what they were dealing with,” says Cromwell. At the Magnetic World Music Festival, HRP arrested 11 people under the Liquor Control Act; six were arrested on Friday and five on Saturday. Cromwell says he is not aware of all the altercations that may have taken place this weekend. “I am aware of one video where there was a gentleman in a physical disturbance. Again, I don’t know the extent of what those events are being investigated,” he adds. Cromwell explains the issues at this weekend’s music festival are not uncommon in a crowd of that size. “In a large crowd like that, public intoxication, people waiting to get into these events, people get a little frustrated. Fights could break out, but that’s why our public safety was there to assist with crowd management,” he says. Const. Cromwell encouraged people to bring forward concerns from the weekend and report incidents they experienced to police. For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
