Guelph’s 2024 homecoming came with a large price tag for police

The University of Guelph’s homecoming cost over $73,000 this year, most of which came from the Guelph Police Service (GPS) budget.

The university did pay more than $18,000 of that, according to a media release.

Additional resources were deployed on September 28 not only from GPS, but from Guelph Fire Department, Guelph Wellington Paramedic Service, City of Guelph bylaw Enforcement and University of Guelph Campus Safety Office.

Thousands participated in an unsanctioned gathering for the homecoming festivities which closed off sections of Chancellors Way and Edinburg Road South from 4 p.m. until the next morning.

Police said that in the night around 11:30 p.m. fireworks were discharged into the crowd, but no injuries were reported.

GPS laid several charges for not obeying the Liquor License Act. Some people were taken to hospital for intoxication.

Bylaw responded to over 40 noise complaints in the city from noon Sept. 28 to 4 a.m. the following morning.

Around 9 p.m. it was reported that an Etobicoke man was stabbed in the abdomen during an altercation with unknown parties. Officers were approached by the man near Edinburg Road South and Chancellors Way. The man was taken to hospital for treatment of his injury and that investigation is still ongoing.