How Hamilton, police, McMaster plans to keep Homecoming safe for all

One of the biggest events for McMaster students will take place over this Saturday, bringing thousands to the streets of west Hamilton as they celebrate school spirit.

The City of Hamilton has filed an injunction to be able to enforce its nuisance party by-law.

While that by-law is in place all year round, the injunction will give law enforcement added authority to impose stricter penalties on violations.

“Utilizing the by-law, understanding that the University District Safety Initiative is in place, we also use the injunction as an enforcement tool,” said Dan Smith, the director of licensing and by-law services with the City of Hamilton.

The city is working in close partnership with the Hamilton Police Service, campus security, and other first responders.

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Top of mind is not only the safety of students but also that of neighbourhood residents.

“Our job is to keep their property and them safe, as well as along with the students,” said Hamilton Police Insp. Frank Miscione. “If they need to contact us, certainly call 911 if it’s needed, or if you look out your door and you see a police officer standing nearby, approach them if you need to, but there will be a very large increased presence out there for public safety.”

Police say there will be around 100 officers dedicated solely to Homecoming on Saturday, and that’s not including by-law, campus security and emergency response teams.

Homecoming at McMaster University is organized by the school’s student union, Student Affairs, and Athletics and Recreation.

“We understand homecoming is definitely a big event — definitely is a loud event as well, and we ask all of our students to please be a good neighbor,” said Mariam Saleem, the president of the McMaster Student Union. “There’s a lot of messaging around that, and we do our best as the student’s union and the university as a whole, to bring students onto campus as much as possible, and we would love to have community members all by as well.”

McMaster’s associate dean of students Sean van Koughnett also gave his word that Mac students will be respectful of their neighbours.

WATCH MORE: McMaster prepares for Homecoming as officers prepare for nuisance parties

“We always strive to be good neighbours and our students, by and large, do a great job of that, and we want that tradition to continue where we’re able to celebrate,” said van Koughnett. “To celebrate what it means to be part of this community and at the same time respecting the neighbourhoods that we live in.”

The nuisance party by-law is part of the city’s University District Safety Initiative and is invoked when large public parties happen, like on St. Patrick’s Day.

It began being implemented for significant events in 2022, following a particularly raucous 2021 Homecoming party where a car was flipped over.

This weekend will feature the Marauders Football team kicking off against the visiting Laurier Golden Hawks at Ron Joyce Stadium at 1 p.m.

The Homecoming Expo featuring food trucks, lawn games and other activities will take place at Parking Lot E, in front of the Peter George Centre for Living and Learning, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Saturday evening will feature a concert with the American rapper Swae Lee and musical duo Twinsick, starting at 6 p.m. at the John Hodgins Engineering building.

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