Kingston Police thanked students on Monday for abiding by public health guidelines over Homecoming weekend. 

In a press release on Oct. 19, the police reported a decrease in infractions related to unsanctioned parties in comparison to previous years. 

“I would like to thank the vast majority of students who respected the current emergency orders and endeavoured to keep this community safe by respecting KFL&A Public Health guidelines,” Kingston Police Chief Antje McNeely wrote in a statement. 

“We sincerely appreciate the assistance of our community and law enforcement partners over this past weekend who worked collaboratively to keep Kingston safe.”

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Kingston Police issued seven Reopening Ontario Act notices for gatherings above the Provincial limit, $880 each, for several unsanctioned gatherings in the University District. 

They also issued 17 Liquor License Act fines to individuals carrying open alcohol.

Five Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMP) for bylaw offence notices were issued, including one for obstruct, three for amplification of sound, and one for hosting a nuisance party.

City of Kingston Bylaw Enforcement Officers also issued 18 AMPs for yelling and amplified noise.

Kingston Police credited proactive messaging and public education in advance of the weekend with deterring the large gatherings that are typical to Homecoming. The virtual alumni celebrations hosted by the University also helped decrease the number of visitors to the University District.

“On behalf of the entire Queen’s community, I would like to thank our students for exercising good judgement and care for the community and respecting the guidelines imposed by our public health experts,” Principal Patrick Deane wrote in the statement. 

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Dr. Kieran Moore, medical officer of health at Kingston, Frontenac, and Lennox & Addington (KFL&A) Public Health, also thanked students.

 “A huge thank you to the Queen’s University students and alumni for limiting large social gatherings and keeping Homecoming local this year,” Moore wrote.

“Having a virtual event has minimized people travelling and the risk of importing new cases from areas where there is higher transmission of the virus. This will help to keep our region with one of the lowest rates of COVID-19 in the province.”