University of Guelph, police to join ‘Homecoming Working Group’ after chaotic party – Guelph

Police in Guelph say they are forming a “Homecoming Working Group” to manage large unsanctioned gatherings after a chaotic University of Guelph party made headlines last week.

Police say the task force is being created in conjunction with the city, the University of Guelph and Guelph General Hospital to support community safety and identify ways to hold offenders accountable.

The force says the police, hospital and community services already do extensive planning every year in the run-up to the homecoming, but “this year has proven that the environment around unsanctioned gatherings has changed.”

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Videos from an off-campus homecoming party on September 26 showed massive crowds of young people on the streets, some carrying bottles and other objects, as police tried to control the situation.

Guelph police said at the time that the gathering was “significantly larger” than similar events in recent years and officers were dealing with people climbing buildings, as well as shoplifting and vandalism at nearby businesses.

University of Guelph president Rene Van Acker said last week that the party risked the safety of students and neighbors and the university was reviewing the incident.

Police say social media and “persons inciting disorder” have played key roles in escalating the size and risks of unsanctioned gatherings.

They say the working group will meet regularly to consider recommendations on how to prevent and respond to gatherings of this type.

Last week, police asked for the public’s help in identifying people seen in social media videos of the Sept. 26 party.

The force said several people were charged with criminal and provincial offenses over the weekend.