Warm weather prompts Police project
Like the April rain brings May flowers, the Spring season also brings the London Police to the Fanshawe area, and they are on the lookout.
The biannual police crackdown, also known as Project L.E.A.R.N (Liquor Enforcement and Reduction in Noise), takes place during the beginning of the Fall and end of the Winter semesters and aims to combat excessive neighbourhood partying and downtown disturbances that are known to flare-up when the weather turns warm.
Police launched L.E.A.R.N on Wednesday, April 9 and it will run until Saturday, April 26, when the majority of students are either done school for the semester, or have retreated for summer employment.
“Specific attention will be paid to the areas surrounding Fanshawe College, The University of Western Ontario and the downtown area, specifically Richmond Street and the surrounding residential areas,” a press release issued by Amy Phillipo, the London Police Services public information officer, said.
Last Fall, Fleming Drive, an area just outside the college gates in which Fanshawe students predominantly reside, saw it's fair share of attention when Project L.E.A.R.N constables frequented the nightly gatherings that spilled onto the streets. On several occasions partiers threw beer bottles at police and partygoers. One Fanshawe student was tasered as a result, while others in attendance were charged.
These out-of-control parties and extended police presence in the Fanshawe College area garnered national media attention, all of which was negative.
Fanshawe College administration responded to the surrounding events by sending out an email to all the students requesting that they limit the size of their parties, and refrain from posting mass invitations in online forums such as Facebook.
“Police will be focusing on inappropriate behaviour that is disruptive to the community,” the press release said. “Public safety, improving the quality of life for residents and ensuring peace in the community are all paramount goals of the project.”
The biannual police crackdown, also known as Project L.E.A.R.N (Liquor Enforcement and Reduction in Noise), takes place during the beginning of the Fall and end of the Winter semesters and aims to combat excessive neighbourhood partying and downtown disturbances that are known to flare-up when the weather turns warm.
Police launched L.E.A.R.N on Wednesday, April 9 and it will run until Saturday, April 26, when the majority of students are either done school for the semester, or have retreated for summer employment.
“Specific attention will be paid to the areas surrounding Fanshawe College, The University of Western Ontario and the downtown area, specifically Richmond Street and the surrounding residential areas,” a press release issued by Amy Phillipo, the London Police Services public information officer, said.
Last Fall, Fleming Drive, an area just outside the college gates in which Fanshawe students predominantly reside, saw it's fair share of attention when Project L.E.A.R.N constables frequented the nightly gatherings that spilled onto the streets. On several occasions partiers threw beer bottles at police and partygoers. One Fanshawe student was tasered as a result, while others in attendance were charged.
These out-of-control parties and extended police presence in the Fanshawe College area garnered national media attention, all of which was negative.
Fanshawe College administration responded to the surrounding events by sending out an email to all the students requesting that they limit the size of their parties, and refrain from posting mass invitations in online forums such as Facebook.
“Police will be focusing on inappropriate behaviour that is disruptive to the community,” the press release said. “Public safety, improving the quality of life for residents and ensuring peace in the community are all paramount goals of the project.”
