One of London’s biggest party weekends is coming up soon. Homecoming is set to take place on the last weekend of September. The London Police Services don’t have any specific plans for how they will deal with security during the party. LPS constable Matt Dawson shared the police’s goals for this year.
Bianca Harris
“You know the goal is we want people to enjoy themselves,” Dawson added “but to do so responsibly and you know again to maintain that safety of the communities around it” says Matt Dawson when talking about HOCO preparations.
Homecoming celebrations have been better in recent years in terms of injuries and accidents. Ever since before COVID-19 injuries related to the party have been in a downward trend. In 2021 there was 32 people reported to be hospitalized after HOCO with injuries related to the party. In 2022 only 28 and in 2023 it was 31.
The difference is that 2021 had six serious injuries as well as 2022. However, homecoming in 2023 had zero people with serious injuries and no one was left in critical condition. Constable Dawson from LPS mentioned what Londoners could expect from police to reduce party related injuries.
The London Police attempt to enforce Project L.E.A.R.N during Western’s 2015 Homecoming celebrations – a sea of purple taking over Broughdale Street.
“The general consensus is you’ll see an increased police presence” he continues with “and our primary concern obviously is always public and community safety as I mentioned earlier.” Says Dawson.
As for road closures there are no specific details yet on what roads will be closed and which will be open. Do expect some delays on the weekend of the party. Other than that, there’s not much information out yet. More about the road closures will be available next week as HOCO approaches.
“Now, obviously as we move closer to the big day, you know, we typically start to put out more information about that and what are, you know what you’ll see from us.” confirms Dawson.
Homecoming will take place Sep. 27 all the way through the weekend until Sep. 29 in the Broughdale neighbourhood.
Aerial view of Broughdale Avenue on FOCO 2018.
Picture credit: Screenshot from LPS drone
