15k students, 4 police services and dozens of charges mark Western's homecoming parties
CBC
London police and officers from three other Ontario police departments were called to patrol Western University's homecoming parties that, in the end, resulted in fewer problems than previous years.
The London Police Service (LPS) released statistics on the annual event, known as HOCO, on Thursday, but would not say how much it cost to carry out the policing work. It's also unknown, at this time, how many officers were brought in from Windsor, Peterborough and Hamilton to help.
In past years, the bill has totalled upward of $300,000.
The LPS estimated 15,000 people attended unsanctioned gatherings on Friday and Saturday that saw one lane closure on Richmond Street to contain students spilling out from Broughdale Avenue. The year before, police said 10,000 attended.
"Most of the young adults we encountered were cooperative with emergency services and partner agencies," said police superintendent Ryan Scrivens in a statement.
Homecoming weekend in London has become infamous across Ontario, and in previous years has attracted thousands more students who've found themselves on roof tops, up hydro poles and in hospital.
Middlesex-London Paramedic Services said 39 people were taken to hospital between Friday and Saturday, a slight increase from the year before when 31 people were admitted.
Police issued a number of tickets, including one criminal code charge where a 17-year-old allegedly assaulted an officer. Here's how this year's numbers stack up against last year's.
2024:
2023:
Sgt. Sandasha Bough said police also continue to investigate an assault on Saturday night that left two people in hospital after an incident on Richmond and Huron streets.
Officers also issued numerous verbal warnings and worked to control the crowd with their presence, police said.
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