Sandy Hill residents demand action on 'destructive' street parties

Members of a community group in Ottawa's Sandy Hill neighbourhood say they're disappointed that rowdy parties took over their streets again last month and they want candidates in the municipal election to explain what they're going to do about it.

Policepromised to step upenforcementduring the annual Panda Gamea football matchbetween the University of Ottawa and Carleton University atLansdownePark which usually leads to large celebrations.

"We feel frustrated and disappointed," said Susan Young, president of Action Sandy Hill.

"We worked for months with the University of Ottawa, the cityand the police service to ensure that this year, no part of our neighbourhood would be taken over by these disruptive and destructive parties."

Young said they knewa massive party was planned for Russell Avenue on game day, but police didn't share their plans on how they would keep the event under control.

Police simplypromised zero tolerance an approach that didn't seem to be enforced, she said, with roads closed and many students drinking openly on the streets.

Calls for candidates totake action

Young said people in the neighbourhood want to know what police and the city are going to do before more parties happenaround St. Patrick's Day or Canada Day.

They also want to hear from candidates in this month's municipal election, she said, about what could be done differently.

It's not normal, and it's not acceptable.-Susan Young, president of Action Sandy Hill

"It seems though that the city and the police view Sandy Hill as a student neighbourhood where property crimes, noise violations and alcohol abuse are not just tolerated but should be expected," Youngsaid.

"By letting these parties take place year after year, the city and the police are sending a message that this is normal. We're saying it's not normal, and it's not acceptable."

Mathieu Fleury, the incumbent councillor for Rideau-Vanier, acknowledgedthe city and the police did not do enough to keep the Panda Gameparties controlled and saidthe current situation is unacceptable.

He said while police moved people off of the road, that forced them ontoresidents' properties without the property owners' consent.