Police say 6,000 people gathered at unsanctioned McMaster homecoming party

Hamilton police say an estimated 6,000 people gathered at an unsanctioned homecoming party near McMaster University over the weekend.

The party took place at the Westdale and Ainslie Woods neighborhoods.

Police say they received 60 calls for service.

There were nine arrests and 16 by-law charges or provincial offence notices.

Eleven tickets were issued under the nuisance party by-law.

The City of Hamilton recently passed a Nuisance Party Bylaw to address large unsanctioned gatherings that are or could become a public nuisance resulting in unreasonable noise, damage or destruction or property, public drunkenness or disorderly conduct or several other factors.

“Working collaboratively with the City, McMaster University and our first responder partners enabled us to address the negative impacts of unsanctioned street gatherings,” said Hamilton Police Service Superintendent, Dave Hennick.

“Community safety and well-being is a shared responsibility and this weekend’s events were a good example of what happens when we work together.”