Unsanctioned homecoming street party sees property damage but no major injuries

London police said about 10,000 people attended unsanctioned gatherings during Western University's homecoming weekend this year, with 31 people requiring treatment at local hospitals.

The London Police Service released enforcement numbers from its Unsanctioned Street Party Task Force on Tuesday. Large gatherings took place at a number of locations, including on Broughdale Avenue, Mill Street, Huron Street, Mayfair Crescent and Epworth Avenue throughout the day and evening on Saturday. 

Police said about 7,000 people partied in student areas throughout the evening, causing police to close several roads, including Broughdale and Epworth avenues for safety.

"While the majority of young people in attendance were cooperative with police, fire and paramedic services throughout the day, during the evening hours the crowd behaviour showed notable changes as the day progressed," said Inspector Ryan Scrivens. 

"Later into the night, members of the crowd threw projectiles, including cans and bottles, toward both our officers and police vehicles and demonstrated other acts of violence." 

Some members of the crowd damaged property, including a police vehicle, and removed street signs and trees from the ground. Several partygoers were seen jumping from rooftops, but there were no serious injuries reported. 

London police patrolled the area with the help of officers from Windsor, York and Hamilton. In addition to the following enforcement numbers, they issued numerous verbal warnings to participants as they worked to control the crowd. 

Enforcement numbers:

• 38 Liquor Licence Control Act charges.
• 16 Highway Traffic Act charges.
• 249 Administrative Monetary Penalties, including public nuisance parties, excessive noise and parking charges.
• 10 By-law charges.
• Two Criminal Code charges – assault with a weapon and possession of property obtained by crime.

In 2016, Western moved its traditional homecoming event from the end of September to October as an attempt to deter the number of street parties in the city. Students decided to party on the September weekend anyway, dubbing the new celebration "fake homecoming." 

The notorious unsanctioned street party attracted tens of thousands of revellers from across Ontario, costing the city hundreds of thousands of dollars in policing services. 

Western University moved the three-day homecoming celebration back to September in 2021. 

Last year, 28 people were sent to hospital during the event.