The homecoming parties in Guelph, Ont., on Saturday may have been the “worst” yet, Mayor Cam Guthrie says.
Videos shared on social media show thousands of young people dressed in red, yellow, white and black, and partying on off-campus properties near Stone Road Mall.
Thousands of young people gathered in the area in the afternoon and the crowd ballooned. Some videos show items being thrown into the crowd while another shows young people climbing up the exterior walls of a building before falling into a bush.
Police closed Chancellors Way between South Ring Road West and Stone Road West on Saturday just after 5 p.m. and shared on X, formerly Twitter, that the move was “necessary to protect people’s safety.”
Guthrie said people in the area “are ticked” by the party and the disruption to their neighbourhood, adding, “I don’t blame them.
“It’s been pretty clear that it was probably the worst amount of issues that we’ve ever experienced in the history of homecoming parties,” Guthrie told CBC K-W’s The Morning Edition host Craig Norris in an interview on Monday morning.
“Not only has there been a huge amount of resources required from our own staff for the front-line staff, if you can think about waste, and transit and bylaw issues, but then our emergency services as well, police, fire and paramedics — a lot of issues there.
“It was just really a ripple effect of issues that happened at homecoming that then impacted the entire community, including neighborhoods and businesses as well that experienced a lot of property,” he said.
The Guelph Police Service said the number of people at the homecoming party “was significantly larger than in recent years and generated several public-safety concerns.”
“Officers responded to incidents involving objects being thrown, people climbing buildings and other structures, as well as reports of shoplifting and vandalism affecting nearby businesses,” police said in a release Monday afternoon.
“Although no known serious injuries have been reported at the time of this release, emergency responders treated multiple people for injuries, including cuts and lacerations, and responded to a number of intoxication-related medical calls.”
Additional police resources were brought in, including officers with the tactics and rescue unit.
“Their efforts helped restore order, prevent further injuries and allow emergency personnel to safely access those requiring assistance,” police said.
They said “several criminal and provincial offence charges,” but did not provide an exact numbers.
“Investigators continue to review reported incidents, video and other evidence, and additional charges may be forthcoming.”
Guelph police Chief Gord Cobey said homecoming is a chance for the community to celebrate.
“Most people enjoyed the day responsibly, but behaviour that puts others at risk cannot be accepted,” Cobey said.
Guthrie said he was also told the emergency department at Guelph General Hospital was filled with people from the homecoming parties who needed medical care.
Dr. Alex Folkl, chief of emergency medicine at Guelph General Hospital, said in a statement to CBC News that the emergency department treated approximately 60 people in relation to the homecoming festivities.
People were treated for “head injuries caused by thrown bottles, lacerations and intoxication.”
“Homecoming-related visits place significant pressure on critical hospital resources. This weekend, our emergency department was stretched beyond capacity,” Folkl said.
“Had we also experienced an influx of seriously ill patients or even a small multi-patient trauma event, there was a real risk that we would not have been able to provide every patient with the timely level of care they required.”
He also urged college and university students “to make safe, responsible choices around alcohol and substance use.”
“Doing so can reduce the risk of injury and help prevent avoidable visits to the hospital.”
On Friday, the day before homecoming, the University of Guelph issued a statement on social media reminding students to be “mindful that your actions reflect those around you.”
“Remember your Gryphon values and be respectful of your neighbours and the community you became a part of when you became a UofG student. Be safe and look out for yourself and each other,” the post said.
Rene Van Acker, president and vice-chancellor of the University of Guelph, said on Monday that school officials are “deeply disappointed” by the unsanctioned gathering and “we are clear that this cannot happen again.”
“While most students celebrated responsibly this weekend, there were incidents requiring intervention by emergency services and law enforcement,” Van Acker said.
Both Guthrie and Van Acker say in the past, they know it’s not just students from Guelph at the homecoming events. Guthrie said people who have been charged in previous years have come from other cities for the celebrations.
Van Acker says some Guelph students did take part and “engaged in behaviour that was unacceptable and fell well below our community’s expectations.”
“Where individuals are found to have violated university policies or applicable laws, the university will take action,” Van Acker said.
Van Acker also thanked first responders, hospital workers and city staff for their support on the weekend.
Homecoming parties in Guelph in recent years have made headlines for similar large gatherings.
But Guelph isn’t alone in dealing with unsanctioned student parties.
Waterloo has become known for an unsanctioned St. Patrick’s Day party that happens near Wilfrid Laurier University each year, while other cities, including London and Kingston, have grappled with homecoming celebrations that have gotten out of control.
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Guthrie said it’s not clear how to put a stop to the parties because once they happen on private property, there’s “really nothing the government can do to try to step in.”
“Especially in the world of social media right now, you say you can’t do that here — and even that can be challenge to even suggest that — and then in literally 10 minutes, everybody’s going to know that it’s just going to happen somewhere else,” he said.
He said he and others appreciated the students who gathered on Sunday to pick up trash and recycling, but that doesn’t mean it’s OK “for things to get out of control” the day before.
“These these students and or their guests that come here, they are guests in our city and the respect has to be there for us.”
Over the next few days, Guthrie said, he will be in talks with officials from the university and emergency services. While Guthrie is not seeking re-election and a new mayor will be chosen on Oct. 26 during Ontario’s municipal elections, he said the conversations “can’t wait a month.”
