Is HoCo a full-go this Saturday? Students predict street party's return to Broughdale Ave.
COVID-19 crashed the party in 2020, but London may not be so lucky this weekend.
Despite numerous warnings from police, public health, and school administration -- students living on Broughdale Avenue expect tens-of-thousands of revellers will return for this year’s unsanctioned street party to celebrate homecoming at Western University.
“To tell all the students not to have the party, is going to be impossible,” says Teshai Moore, who rents a house on the cull-de-sac near campus.
Malek El Sanyoura is visiting from North York for homecoming, “I think there’s going to be a lot of people, especially because there isn’t going to be the concert (on campus) to divert people from here.”
Last September, in the midst of the pandemic, Broughdale was quiet on homecoming weekend, earning students the gratitude of public health officials and civic leaders.
A sign for Broughdale Avenue near Western University campus in London, Ont. is seen Friday, Sept. 24, 2021. (Daryl Newcombe / CTV News)
Mayor Ed Holder suggests a series of rowdy street parties that ignored pandemic gathering rules during Orientation Week has London police preparing for the worst.
“It’s probably fair to say a proactive response with very strong law enforcement will be a part of it,” Holder hints.
In 2019, London police estimated their response to the unsanctioned event cost taxpayers about $300,000.
"Unsanctioned street parties are highly dangerous and put our students at great risk. Those risks are compounded right now by the threat of COVID-19 and our students have a critical role to play in keeping circles small, protecting our community and each other," said Alan Shepard, president of Western University in a statement.
This week officers went door-to-door on Broughdale warning tenants about the fines for violating gathering limits of 100 people outdoors or 25 people indoors.
Under the Middlesex-London Health Unit’s new Section 22 Order, an initial ticket of $750 would be issued to anyone attending a gathering that exceeds the limits, but fines could be as high as $5,000.
Hosting a gathering that exceeds the limits is a $10,000 fine.
A number of fines can also be issued related to nuisance parties and unruly behaviour.
For serious incidents off campus, students could also face discipline under Western University’s Code of Conduct ranging from suspension to expulsion.
Broughdale Avenue tenant Adam Honchar believes students will come on Saturday -- pandemic or not.
“They’ll have lecture halls filled with thousands of people spaced two feet apart, but they’re more worried about people partying outside in public?” he asks rhetorically.
The threat of hefty fines is already drawing criticism from some student tenants.
Teshai Moore says if police can’t keep a crowd of thousands away from Broughdale, how can his house stay within the gathering limits?
“I’m not sure how we are supposed to count 100 people on our lawn and make sure no more than 100 get on.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Courteney Cox says her partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in therapy
Courteney Cox's longtime partner Johnny McDaid once broke up with her in a therapy session.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Body of Quebec man who died in Cuba found in Russia, family confirms
A Montreal-area family confirmed to CTV News that the body of their loved one who died while on vacation in Cuba is being repatriated to Canada after it was mistakenly sent to Russia.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.