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City ramps up enforcement against partying students in Thorold

Time for education is over, says mayor as bylaw officers issues fines
USED GM Thorold 200306 1
Photo: Ludvig Drevfjall/Thorold News

 

City hall is ramping up its enforcement of loud student parties in Thorold that they say are both violating provincial guidelines around gatherings and causing parking woes for residents.

At least one $750 fine has been issued after bylaw officers stumbled upon a party that exceeded the provincial restrictions around gatherings.

With court fees, the ticket will land close to $880, mayor Terry Ugulini said, as he sent out this message to those who are considering hosting ragers:

"From now on, it's zero-tolerance. If they are not following the guidelines, they will get fined."

At the beginning of the year, Brock University's student union and city staff took an educational approach to try and harness the party-keen student population that, due to the pandemic, doesn't have access to the normal nightlife downtown.

"We were surprised over the number of students that actually showed up. It was larger than anyone anticipated despite many studying online," Ugulini told Thorold News.

He said the local stakeholders have been working hard to push the message around the importance of following the guidelines, prohibiting large gatherings.

But it seems to not have worked, as complaints have been pouring into the city around noise and parking, resulting in cars being ticketed or even towed in recent weeks.

Brock has also paid for extra police patrols in the city, in attempts to dissuade partiers.

Thorold saw an increase of 7 COVID-19 cases over Thanksgiving weekend.