Flyers with warnings from the Ottawa Police and city bylaw department have been placed in mailboxes near the University of Ottawa and Carleton University as the city braces for St Patrick’s Day partying in areas of the capital heavily populated by students.
The notices say bylaw and police “will have an enhanced and sustained presence in the ByWard Market, Sandy Hill and Old Ottawa South leading up to and during St. Patrick’s Day activities.”
And the departments say “there will be increased and strict enforcement and no tolerance” for students who party out of control this St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
One flyer note that a $615 fine awaits anyone “urinating or defecating on a highway” or if they “deposit garbage on a highway.”
The flyer also noted that, “if property owners wish, they can grant police Agent Status in advance to enable officers to enforce the Trespass to Property Act if partygoers spill onto their property.”
Anyone breaking the city’s noise bylaw could face a fine of $490.
The fines are not worth it. Yes, the poster is a warning. But it always gets out of control and as a student, I definitely cannot afford to pay a fine right now.
Valerie Stiles-Beale, Algonquin College student living in Sandy Hill
Valerie Stiles-Beale, an Algonquin College student who lives in Sandy Hill, said she won’t be participating in St Patrick’s Day parties because of the risk of a steep fine.
“The fines are not worth it. Yes, the poster is a warning, but it always gets out of control and as a student, I definitely cannot afford to pay a fine right now.”
A lot of her friends will also not be participating in St Patrick’s Day this year, said Stiles-Beale.
“I think it’s just unappealing now,” she said. “Bylaw has made it so that any type of party immediately is shut down and it’s no longer fun.”
Bylaw and police officers “will also be conducting door-to-door visits in both Sandy Hill and Ottawa South leading up to St. Patrick’s Day to remind residents of the increased enforcement presence in the neighbourhood and to encourage peaceful and respectful celebrations,” said Nicole LeBlanc, public information officer for the city’s By-law and Regulatory Services department.
Stiles-Beale said that these door-to-door visits are what turns her away from partying this year.
“If I wanted security around, I would just go to a bar,” said Stiles-Beale. “I don’t want to constantly feel anxious the whole night that bylaw is going to pop by and ticket everyone.”
Louise Lapointe, a resident of Sandy Hill and president of the Action Sandy Hill community association, said strict enforcement of the rules has not been put into place to stop partying, but to stop things from getting out of control.
“It ultimately is about respecting each other as neighbours, as members of the same community,” said Lapointe. “If your music is blaring and I can hear you five blocks down — you know, three o’clock in the morning, when everybody else, especially on a Sunday, is working the next day” — that kind of creates friction.”
Lapointe said that in 2022, police swarmed areas where students were partying, which is why the door-to-door method has been implemented.
It ultimately is about respecting each other as neighbours, as members of the same community.
Louise Lapointe, president, Action Sandy Hill
“I remember in 2022, walking around the streets, it was full of police. So we went from one extreme where there was an over-presence because of everything that had happened before,” said Lapointe, adding that the door-to-door visits by police serve as a “reminder of what the rules are and what the fines are.”
Stiles-Beale said even though the door-to-door method can inform people, she believes it can make some residents uncomfortable.
“Living in an area with an already high police presence, I find myself getting anxious when the police are coming to my door,” she said. “I think the flyer really was the way to go. Easy for people to read and not have to interact with the police.”
When it comes to St Patrick’s Day celebrations, Lapointe said there is a line that shouldn’t be crossed.
“It’s everything in moderation, and (that) … doesn’t mean you can’t get drunk. That’s fine. That happens,” said Lapointe. “But there is a line. When someone has to wake up at 5 a.m. to hit their ceiling with a broom to tell their neighbour to be quiet, they’ve crossed that line.”
