The Guelph Police Service has been handing out tickets with a fine for minor offences during its Safe Semester program and for homecoming, but this year city cops are upping the ante by issuing a summons, requiring a court appearance.
The change is one of the new measures Guelph Police will be using to help ensure a safe start to the semester for students, said Sgt. Rodney Cox.
“We want to get the message across to them that there are consequences to their actions and they have to actually go to court to determine what the fine will be,” said Cox. “We have upped the ante a little bit.”
Normally, a liquor or by-law offence would garner someone a ticket with a fine, said Cox.
“We have asked some our officers to issue Part 1 summonses, which includes a court date,” he said. “We don’t want anyone thinking it’s easy and to just get a fine, especially during homecoming because we get an influx of people from outside of town.”
Last week, Guelph Police posted a number of lighthearted videos about many of those offences, including public urination and public drunkenness.
“That’s our media officers trying to come out with some light ways to get the message out to some of these kids,” said Cox of the videos.
The Safe Semester program kicks off on Friday evening. Macdonell and Wyndham streets will close from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. every Friday and Saturday until Sept. 28.
“It’s designed to assist in having a safe and productive start to the semester for the students,” said Cox.
Safe Semester is supported by partners ranging from the Downtown Business Association and University of Guelph to Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health and Guelph Transit.
This year, taxi stands will be set up near Guelph Central Station, with cabs entering through the Macdonell entrance to the transit hub on that street.
“That way they are not doing a U-Turn in the middle of the road — we don’t want that,” said Cox.
Vehicles left within the closed-off area during the street closures will be towed at the owner’s expense, said Cox.
