University District Safety Initiative

Here is a list of offenses covered by the initiative: 

Nuisance Party Bylaw 

• •  Creating, hosting or allowing a nuisance party (Section 4.2). 
  •  Not obeying an order to stop or leave a nuisance party (Section 4.6). 
  •  Hosting another nuisance party after getting a warning (Section 4.10). 
  •  Using a closed road (Section 5.3). 
  •  Removing or damaging equipment on a closed road (Section 5.4). 
  •  Blocking or interfering with officers, employees or agents (Section 6.2). 
  • Trying to block or interfere with officers, employees or agents (Section 6.2). 

Liquor License Act 

• • If you are under 19, you can't have or drink alcohol (Section 30.8). 
  • Do not carry alcohol in an open container or drink it in public places, homes, or non-licensed spots (Section 31.2). 
  • It is not allowed to be drunk in public places (Section 31.4). 

Noise Bylaw

• • Using loud sound equipment during restricted hours is prohibited under Section 6 of Schedule B. 
  • Making noise by yelling, shouting or playing musical instruments during restricted hours is not allowed under Section 15 of Schedule B. 

No. This program prevents people from doing things that are against the law in the University District, especially during certain times of the year, and all year according to the Nuisance Party Bylaw.

Though they might look similar and work in similar situations, they have different ways of making sure people follow the rules. 

The nuisance party bylaw makes hosts responsible for what their guests do at parties. 

On the other hand, the University District Safety Initiative has three main parts: 

1. 1. Changing how fines are applied.  
   2. Applying the possibility of academic sanctions through Queen's University thanks to information sharing between community partners like the City and Police. 
   3. Requirement to appear before Justice of the Peace. 

The Kingston Police and Bylaw Enforcement can use the initiative citywide. It is named after the neighbourhood where these problematic gatherings typically usually occur. 

If charged, you have two options when attending court: 

• • Plead guilty and receive a fine
  • Plead not guilty, and a trial will be scheduled

If you are charged and don’t attend court: 

• • A trial will be scheduled without further notifications
  • If found guilty, the court may recommend the maximum fine

Additionally: 

• • The court docket is public information
  • The university identifies student involvement through the court docket
  • Each case is evaluated by the university

No. These offenses, including violations of the Nuisance Party Bylaw, are dealt with in the Provincial Offenses Court. If you are found guilty, it will not give you a criminal record. 

For fines related to Nuisance Party and Noise Bylaws: 

• • They go through the Provincial Offenses Court under the Provincial Offenses Act. If you get a ticket, you can request a trial in court. 

But for the Administrative Monetary Penalty process: 

• • Instead of a Provincial Offenses Act ticket, you get a penalty notice if you are accused of breaking the bylaw. 
  • You can appeal to a screening officer. 
  • If you do not like the screening officer's decision, it can go to an external hearing officer for a final decision, which can't be appealed again. 

Find out more about Administrative Monetary Penalties.

Yes. 

No. In the University District during the initiative, you will get a summons only if you are involved in one of the listed offenses. 

Whether you get a warning, or a summons depends on what the officer sees happening. 

The pilot program was reviewed again in the spring of 2019. Kingston City council decided to make the initiative a permanent program on July 9, 2019. 

If you receive a Part I Summons, your name will be placed on a public court record. This information will be shared with the university to identify Queen's students. The university will then individually review each student's situation and determine appropriate consequences based on what happened. 

To find out more, please visit the Queen's University Student Conduct page.