Kingston Police added 10 extra officers on Saturday night in anticipation of an Aberdeen Street party, but no revelers showed up.
“What the police and the [Queen’s] administration wants is to keep on top of it,” said Sgt. Alex Forsyth, who was in charge of officers assigned to Aberdeen Street supervision.
Parked cars lined either side of Aberdeen Street on Saturday night. The additional police presence wasn’t apparent, except for squad cars patrolling the area.
Several signs on the street and at the intersection of Johnson and Aberdeen Streets warned students that the area was under camera surveillance.
Forsyth said Kingston Police suspected Aberdeen gathering based on factors including a Queen’s home football game against the Waterloo Warriors and alumni returning for the 40th anniversary of Clark Hall.
Around 500 people gathered on Aberdeen Street on Sept. 17. A second gathering had been rumoured on Facebook and Twitter.
“I knew there wouldn’t be much going on when I heard there was a low attendance at the football game,” Forsyth said, adding that rain and wind were potential deterrents keeping students and alumni off Aberdeen Street.
Just over 2,000 people attended the game at Richardson Stadium — which has a capacity of over 10,000.
Forsyth said his mentality regarding police interaction with Aberdeen revelers is “firm but fair.”
“Students have been excellent this year,” he said.
Tags
Aberdeen street, Fauxcoming, Town-gown
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