‘Our message to students is to take care of themselves’: Western representatives encourage safe behaviours for homecoming

It’s Homecoming weekend at Western, and police are making safety preparations. CTV London’s Gerry Dewan has the details.

The Western University homecoming is an opportunity for to alumni gather, touch base with former classmates, and walk the halls of their alma mater.

But homecoming weekend also brings a large gathering to Broughdale Avenue, as students look to blow off some steam before launching into the school year.

The street will be closed to traffic while police, fire, paramedics, and bylaw officers monitor activity.

Rachel Penrice is a second-year Western software engineering student. She told CTV News she and her housemates are considering visiting Broughdale Ave. on Saturday, “Most of the time I’ve gone, everyone’s been very polite and nice. It’s never too much.”

Representatives from a number of local institutions, including the City of London, Western University, Fanshawe College, and emergency responders, have formed the Unsanctioned Street Party Task Force. They’re supported by London hospitals.

Sgt. Sandasha Bough said the task force has been working for months to ensure the event doesn’t become ‘too much.’

“We are enforcing a number of laws with respect to open liquor, noise bylaws, some of those larger unsanctioned gatherings,” said Bough.

Police officers from Hamilton, Windsor, and the OPP will join London officers to patrol streets on Saturday.

On Thursday afternoon, London Hydro crews were helping set up services to a mobile command centre located on Audrey Avenue, just off of Broughdale.

Over the years, the task force has developed strategies to improve safety, including creating a fenced in area in the middle of the street.

Bough said it helps to ensure anyone experiencing a medical event can be cared for and removed safely, “We’re just hoping that people keep the roadways clear. We need to ensure that emergency services can get through to the people that need them.”

The city is stressing there can be consequences for letting a party get out of hand, with the potential for fines that can escalate.

Examples of fines include:

• Hosting a nuisance party: $1,130
• Attending a nuisance party: $930
• Failing to leave premises: $65
• Using of a closed road: $615
• Make/cause/permit noise likely to disturb inhabitants: $305
• Urinating in a public place: $305

While street parties on Broughdale and at other locations surrounding the campus always capture a lot of attention, the university stresses that these are not sanctioned homecoming events.

Western will host the student fanfest, which will run in conjunction with the annual homecoming football game. They’re hoping to keep students on campus.

Stephanie Hayne Beatty, acting vice-provost (students), stressed the importance of students doing their part to keep festivities safe wherever they are, “Our message to students is to take care of themselves, take care of each other, and take care of the community. So, it’s a shared responsibility, right? We do a lot on campus to keep them safe. And we need them to be part of that solution as well.”

The task force is also sending a strong message about gender-based and sexual violence (GBSV). Whether it be catcalls, inappropriate gestures, or unwanted physical contact. They say there will be zero tolerance when it comes to those behaviours.

Community members are encouraged to speak up and safely intervene if they witness sexual violence.

The task force is also encouraging students and others to review a website that explores bystander intervention actions.

Those who experience GBSV can report their experience anonymously through the London Police Service’s Speak Out website.

They are also directed contact ANOVA’s 24/7 crisis and support line at 519-642-3000 or call 2-1-1 for 24/7 crisis counselling and referrals.

Western University students can access additional resources on the Getting Help After Experiencing GBSV webpage.