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Guelph Homecoming Gathering Drew up to 15,000 People, Cost Police $91K
Police say the crowd generated about 550 calls, 11 criminal occurrences and an estimated $91,000 response cost.
A report presented to the Guelph Police Service Board on Thursday detailed an unsanctioned homecoming party on September 26 that drew 13,000 to 15,000 people to Chancellor's Way, costing approximately $91,000 in police response.
Mayor Cam Guthrie described the festivities as the "worst" yet, noting the event "impacted the entire community, including neighbourhoods and businesses," while police call volumes surged more than 100 per cent compared to last year.
Guelph General Hospital treated approximately 60 people in its emergency department, while police recorded 11 criminal occurrences and issued about 70 provincial offence notices amidst approximately 550 incidents across the city that Saturday.
To manage future gatherings, the city, Guelph Police Service, University of Guelph, and Guelph General Hospital formed a "Homecoming working group," with Guelph Police Chief Gord Cobey promising a "significantly enhanced public-safety presence."
Investigators continue reviewing footage to identify additional suspects, warning that anonymity does not grant accountability, while the working group remains dedicated to "mitigating risks and reducing the impacts associated with large unsanctioned gatherings.