Fiery Queen's party stokes police strong-arm resolve

Police in Kingston have served notice that they're prepared to use tasers and pepper spray next year to control the Homecoming party that often springs up near Queen's University.

The threat to use increased force comes a month after thousands attended a street party that culminated in a car being overturned and set ablaze.

Police have also sent Queen's a bill for $84,000 to cover the cost of officers who worked overtime on Homecoming Weekend. It's the first time the department has sent such a bill to the university, but may not be the last.

Queen's has no quarrel with the idea of helping with costs, says the university's Patrick Dean, but when it comes to the force's idea of calling out the riot squad – at a cost of $500,000 – Dean argues it's too early to be discussing such increased and expensive enforcement.

"With so many things still to be explored with the causes of this most recent riot not fully understood, it seems to be a little premature to be thinking about extreme measures to control it," said Dean.

Police say if other measures fail to work ahead of next year's event, officers will be authorized to use tasers and other weapons for crowd control.

Coun. Floyd Patterson, who represents the Queen's district, approves of any action the police deem necessary.

"What I expect from the police department is an adequate and timely response to keep the streets orderly and safe. Whatever resources they need to do that is up to them," said Patterson.

Some residents who live near the location of the street party echo Patterson's response.

But Dean worries that by threatening such strong-arm tactics so far in advance, police could actually be fanning "the fires of unrest rather than putting them out."