Giving police ‘agent status’ a tool in reducing Panda-monium

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Steve Higham spent the night of the Panda Game in 2021 on the front porch of his Russell Avenue home, trying to keep revellers from taking over his front lawn and flowing into the back.

Some Russell Avenue residents dubbed the Panda party that night a “riot.” Police later estimated that 2,000 party-goers thronged to Higham’s block of Russell Avenue between Somerset Street East and Templeton Street. They threw beer cans, peed on lawns and flipped a car. Paramedics later reported transporting seven patients to hospital to be treated for alcohol intoxication and minor injuries.

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“It was a pure and utter gong show,” said Higham, who was new to the neighbourhood and had heard about its infamous Panda street parties. At around 6:30 p.m. that night, he heard a constant noise, like a jet, and realized it came from the thousands of people gathered on his street.

“You had to think about the crowd as liquid. It would just flow wherever it could.”

Soon after that raucous Panda party, Higham registered with the Ottawa Police Service’s “agent status” program, which allows property owners to sign up in advance to allow police officers to enforce the Trespass to Property Act if party-goers spill onto their property.

The property owner gets a sticker to attach to the front of the building to notify police that the owner is enrolled in the program. Ottawa police say the program allows officers to enter a building or property to remove unwanted persons.

Higham has never used his agent status registration and he’s not sure it would do much. He considers it much the same as a security system warning.

“By the time people are taking over lawns and porches, the party is already out of control,” he said.

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Panda parties have simmered down in recent years, thanks to a number of strategies deployed by police, bylaw officers, the University of Ottawa and the community. In 2022, police issued 88 tickets for open alcohol and arrested seven people for for public intoxication and mischief. Last year, two people were arrested for public intoxication. 

One of the strategies has been moving the game to a Sunday — this year, the University of Ottawa Gee-Gees will be seeking their sixth consecutive Panda victory over Carleton University on Oct. 6. Organizers have also moved the game up to noon, giving party-goers less time to drink before the game and help control the level of intoxication at the stadium.

Meanwhile, police and bylaw officers went door-to-door in the Sandy Hill, ByWard Market and Old Ottawa South areas to speak directly to residents and businesses. They’re doing that again this year.

Pre- and post-game parties on campus are also aimed at taking the pressure off Sandy Hill.

The university is hosting a pre-game tailgate starting at 9 a.m. in the 90U residence parking lot right on campus, followed by a BYOB post-Panda part in the same parking lot starting at 8 p.m. The event is open to students from any university, but they must produce student identification.  

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This year, police say officers will focus on Criminal Code, Liquor Licence and Control Act offences, and other general conduct issues, and are monitoring addresses that have previously raised concerns.

“We remind party-goers that police and bylaw officers will enforce the law, so we encourage everyone to celebrate responsibly,” said police in a statement. “Leave the booze at home or drink it at an authorized establishment.”

It’s still unclear what set off the Russell Avenue party in 2021. At the time, police said they had deployed a significant number of officers to the area, but everything was under control, so they reduced their presence.

Residents say they were disappointed officers arrived at the scene but did little other than cordon off the area to keep the party contained.

“It was one of the first times I realized I was completely alone. Other people on the street found it distressing as well,” said Higham.

People just want to find a place to party, he said.

“If you don’t give them a place to be, they’ll find a place to be. You still see parties gathering. Most people don’t have a problem with that. It’s a vibrant neighbourhood. I was once young ,too. But my perspective has shifted now that I’m a homeowner with a little kid.”

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