(Halifax) Police in Halifax made several arrests as they tried to control a crowd of students who had gathered to party in the street near Dalhousie University.
Posted at 10:44 p.m.
In a statement released Sunday, Halifax Regional Police estimate that between 3,000 and 4,000 students were massed in the area of Larch, Preston and Jennings streets around 10 p.m. authorized by official celebrations.
According to law enforcement, fireworks were thrown through the crowd and a number of misdeeds were reported as well as fights. Several people present were intoxicated.
The police say they had to evacuate injured people, including a man who was allegedly stabbed. The paramedics were unable to get to the victims.
“In addition to receiving thrown objects, officers were punched, kicked and spat at,” the statement read. Police officers had to receive treatment for injuries that were not life threatening. »
The crowd was dispersed after “a few hours”. If the number of arrests was not specified, it is mentioned that dozens of statements of offense were written.
Last year, similar disturbances led to the arrest of nine men and one woman for intoxication in a public place. These events had raised the anger of several citizens and the university.
Dalhousie University President Deep Saini also released a statement Sunday saying the school shares “the frustration of (its) partners in the community over last night’s irresponsible behavior.”
He recalled that the institution had been very clear in its communications with students and that these street parties were unacceptable.
“These risky and destructive behaviors demonstrated a complete disregard for laws ensuring the safety and well-being of surrounding neighborhoods,” Saini said.
The university says it has launched an investigation to determine the appropriate sanctions to impose on students who participated in the organization of what have been described as “dangerous parties”.
Aparna Mohan, president of the Dalhousie University Student Union, has released a series of posts on Twitter in which she expresses her disappointment at the behavior of some students, but also at the intervention of the police.
Students reported that the police had used cayenne pepper.
“I in no way condone the disruption and disrespect I have observed from many revelers, but neither can I condone the violence as a fair and proportionate response,” Ms.me Mohan. “We can and must do better. »