Post-Panda Game Results in Arrests, Hostile Crowd

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Sunday, October 2, 2022          1:52 am

(Ottawa) – The Ottawa Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police and City of Ottawa partners worked through the evening to disperse crowds who gathered in Sandy Hill last night following the Panda Game.

The focus of police operations was on community safety and ensuring no one was injured.

The behaviour seen this evening was unacceptable, dangerous and, in some cases, criminal.

Seven people were arrested, and investigations are underway to hold people accountable.

Police developed a major deployment plan that included extra resources from the OPP. Police encountered some activity during the day and conducted enforcement.

Despite calls for a peaceful celebration of the game, a large crowd began gathering on Somerset St. East Saturday night at about 8:30 p.m.

A large deployment of police was there to ensure public safety and disperse the crowd.

Many people in the crowd became belligerent and hostile and began committing illegal acts, including vandalism and throwing objects at police.

Police gathered video evidence of this activity. Any members of the public with video or photo evidence of illegal activity are asked to contact the police.

In total, as of 1:15 a.m:

• 7 people were arrested, including for public intoxication and mischief
• 102 provincial offence notices were issued for open alcohol
• 2 tickets for loud mufflers were issued by our Traffic Unit
• 9 towed vehicles
• 109 parking tickets
• 16 noise bylaw tickets and 1 litter bylaw ticket
• 12 paramedic assists

The Ottawa Police will also provide the names of university students charged with criminal offences to Carleton University and the University of Ottawa so that student conduct rules may be applied.

The operational deployment continued into the early hours of the morning until the area was returned to a state of normalcy.

We want to thank the Sandy Hill and Ottawa South communities for their patience and partnership, as well as the City of Ottawa and the Ontario Provincial Police.

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