Despite requests from police and the president of Western University, students came out in droves for what was being called a fake Homecoming on Saturday.
Hundreds of students filled Broughdale Ave. as several police officers did their best to keep students off the street.
Police say several arrests were made and officers seized and dumped out alcohol from people who were drinking in public.
At times, police say the crowd on Broughdale Ave. impeded ambulances that were trying to get to partiers who were in medical distress.
EMS hampered in efforts to get to people at #FOCO in medical distress… having to walk in to get them; four back-to-back calls so far. pic.twitter.com/BCzJ9G65YT
— London Police ON (@lpsmediaoffice) September 30, 2017
As the afternoon neared its end, police worked to clear the streets, sending the students to continue their partying elsewhere. Countless cans and bottles were then cleaned up by city crews and area residents.
The foot traffic has started to clear out on #Broughdale & local citizens have come in to clean up the mess. #FOCO #dontinviteus2urparty pic.twitter.com/zdzcJFYMGt
— London Police ON (@lpsmediaoffice) September 30, 2017
Earlier in the week, London police announced they would have a highly visible presence around Western to deal with the unsanctioned event. Western president Amit Chakma also issued a statement, advising students to steer clear of the street parties.
In the past, Homecoming weekend was the final weekend in September. But last year, in an effort to curb rowdy partying, Western moved the official Homecoming to the third weekend in October when cooler weather and mid-term exams make it less favourable for street parties.
In 2015, 10,000 people attended a massive, unsanctioned street party on Broughdale Ave. The celebration attracted not only Western students, but bus loads from other universities and high school students.
