London had quite the weekend as massive unsanctioned street parties took over several neighbourhoods, drawing an estimated 15,000 to 18,000 people on Saturday alone. The gatherings spread across multiple areas including Broughdale Avenue, Huron Street, Richmond Street, and Mill Street, creating scenes that required significant coordination from emergency services.
According to the London Police Service, the sheer volume of people necessitated road closures on Broughdale Avenue and Huron Street, plus lane reductions on Richmond Street to keep everyone safe. Even as the day progressed into evening, around 5,000 to 7,000 people stuck around to continue the festivities.
The impact on emergency services was substantial. London Police Service’s Communications Section handled nearly double their usual call volume to the 9-1-1 center over the weekend, with much of the surge attributed to these unsanctioned gatherings. The scale of the response required assistance from police services beyond London, including officers from Windsor, Hamilton, and the Ontario Provincial Police.
“Most of the young adults we encountered were cooperative with emergency services and partner agencies. Our downtown bars were at capacity and sidewalks full as people enjoyed the mild weather well into the evening,” said Acting Superintendent David Pratt of the London Police Service.
The enforcement response was comprehensive, involving members from London Police Service, City of London Municipal Compliance, and London Fire Inspectors working together throughout the weekend. Their efforts resulted in 136 Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs) being issued for various infractions including public nuisance parties, excessive noise, and parking violations. Beyond the formal penalties, officers issued numerous verbal warnings as they worked to manage crowds and maintain safety.
The gatherings also put additional strain on paramedic services. Middlesex-London Paramedic Services transported 23 people from the affected areas on Friday and Saturday due to the unsanctioned gatherings. The service experienced a 15% increase in calls throughout the night and a 29% overall increase, again partly attributed to the street parties.
Later in the evening, London Fire Prevention Inspectors responded to complaints about open-air burning in the Broughdale Avenue area, though no tickets were issued related to the Ontario Fire Code.
The weekend’s events highlight the ongoing challenge of managing large unsanctioned gatherings in London, particularly when mild weather draws thousands of people to outdoor celebrations across multiple neighbourhoods simultaneously.