Homecoming Part II: The Whig's perspective

So I wasn't too far off. Reactions from the Kingston Whig-Standard has been positive. Apparently, an estimated 8000-10000 people were packed into the Aberdeen/Johnson/University area Saturday night with an approximately 200 police officers keeping the peace. About 50 people were arrested, though that number's expected to increase. There were two arrests for assault on a police officer and one for resisting arrest (which I think I was witness to as 3 officers were chasing a student down University Ave...like he would've escaped). All in all, the non-confrontational measures employed this year have had an appreciable and positive effect. A timeline of events seen from a reporter can also be found HERE.

Some choice quotes:

Kingston Police Sgt. Neil Finn: "Over 100 students have come up to me and shaken my hand and said thanks for letting them have such a safe party - and the other officers have had the same experience."

"I was hoping there were going to be some cars smashed here - we're serious," said Eric Joyce, 19, a second-year University of Western Ontario student. Joyce came with four other Western students to witness what has become known as one of the top parties in North America. He and his friends were also hoping to smash some beer bottles, he said.

Not everyone was impressed by the police performance. Former city councillor Don Rogers spent hours pacing the sidewalks around Aberdeen Street to protest the relaxed policing of liquor laws. He carried a sign that read, "Police: Don't just stand there! Enforce our liquor laws."

A police officer took away his sign twice, but Rogers had more in his trunk and continued his campaign. "This is our neighbourhood and we have to take back our neighbourhood," Rogers shouted over the noise on Johnson Street. He said he wanted to see police employ "whatever crowd-control measures are necessary" to clear up the party.

Tomorrow: reactions from the Queen's Journal.

Update: Sept. 19, 2006 1:32 pm

An updated article from the Whig outlining the likely costs borne by the City of Kingston for Homecoming and concerns the chief of police had over the weekend.