Kingston police getting ready for Queen’s Homecoming weekend

Kingston police and Queen's University students are seen in the city's university district Oct. 21, 2023. It is Queen's homecoming weekend, which leads to large parties and a large police response. (Shaun Vardon/CTV News Ottawa)

Queen’s University students and alumni will be partying this weekend for homecoming festivities and police will be there.

The parties and gatherings on homecoming weekend in Kingston have in previous years led to tens of thousands of dollars in fines and hundreds of tickets to partygoers for underage drinking, open alcohol, public intoxication and noise violations.

Kingston police said on social media Friday the University District Safety Initiative will be in effect until 6 a.m. Nov. 2, as the weekend following homecoming also regularly sees large gatherings, known as “fake homecoming.”

“Keep alcohol where it belongs,” police said. “Police will enforce the Liquor Licence and Control Act. Leave the booze at home or drink it at an authorized establishment.”

Under the University District Safety Initiative, police and bylaw officers have the authority to issue steep fines, including $2,000 for hosting a nuisance party, $2,000 for failing to comply with an emergency order if a nuisance party is declared, and $200 for a noise bylaw offence.

According to a report from the Kingston Police Service, 91 charges were issued during homecoming weekend in 2024 for open liquor, public intoxication, noise violations and some Highway Traffic Act infractions. The year prior saw more than 135 charges.

Queen’s Homecoming takes place Friday through Sunday.

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