Party response, Safe Semester cost $65K, tab sent to university: Guelph Police Board

Guelph police say extra resources needed to respond to homecoming parties cost an extra $36,000 while its Safe Semester program costs $29,500.

The Guelph Police Services Board is asking the University of Guelph to fork over $65,000 to pay for extra costs related to illegal homecoming parties and the Safe Semester program.

In a motion passed unanimously on Thursday, the board voted to request full reimbursement to cover the cost of bringing in 30 extra officers on Sept. 25 to respond to a massive gathering on Chancellors Way when upwards of 2,500 people gathered.

During that party that lasted from approximately 5 p.m. to 3 a.m., police said officers laid nearly 50 charges and seven were sent to hospital.

Guelph police estimate the day cost them an extra $36,000.

Insp. Scott Grover, who oversaw Guelph police’s during homecoming, said their response is being analyzed while also speaking with other police services about measures used to respond to large gatherings.

The board also called on the university to pay for the Safe Semester program that the police service runs from the start of September to October at a cost of about $29,500.

That program assigns additional officers to the downtown core and the south end, responding to illegal parties, public intoxication and open alcohol as students return to campus.

“I believe this is the first time a motion like this has ever come forward but in my view, enough is enough. We have to do this,” said Mayor Cam Guthrie who also sits on the police board and introduced the motion.