Halifax mayor says rowdy university partiers lacked common sense in light of COVID-19

Police arrested nine men and one woman for public intoxication and issued numerous summary offence tickets for illegal possession of open liquor.

Dalhousie University students who attended a massive party that violated COVID-19 protocols should use more common sense – and stay away from classes for one week and get tested, authorities say.

Last Saturday’s big street party near the university – which led to several arrests – reflected unacceptable behaviour that won’t be tolerated, Halifax Mayor Mike Savage said in an interview Monday.

Halifax is a university town that welcomes students and appreciates that they may want to have some fun while at school, he said.

“But they shouldn’t leave their common sense at home,” Savage added. “This is not acceptable. It infringes on the rights of other people and it violates every (COVID-19) protocol.”

Halifax Regional Police said they responded to a flood of noise complaints Saturday around Jennings and Larch streets, where it was estimated thousands of people had gathered – first for a party in the afternoon and then for a larger event that night.

COVID-19 health orders in Nova Scotia forbid informal social gatherings of more than 50 people outdoors as well as outdoor organized festivals with more than 250 people.

Police arrested nine men and one woman for public intoxication and issued numerous summary offence tickets for illegal possession of open liquor. They said they were continuing to investigate the incident and expected to hand out more tickets.

Const. John MacLeod said students at the earlier gathering co-operated with police and dispersed, leading police to believe the “incident had finished for the day.”