Final stats for Project L.E.A.R.N.: Reunion and Homecoming
The final statistics have been revealed
on Project L.E.A.R.N. for
both the Reunion weekend and
Homecoming weekend.
During Western University’s Reunion and Homecoming weekends, police initiated Project L.E.A.R.N. (Liquor Enforcement And Reduction of Noise). Police increased their presence in neighbourhoods surrounding Fanshawe, Western and the downtown core, as a response to the events.
Earlier this year, Western announced it would be moving Homecoming weekend to Oct. 22, and introducing it as Reunion weekend instead. This was an attempt to curb immense amounts of partying on Broughdale, explaining on their website that moving the date was a strategic decision.
“By moving Homecoming to late October we hope to discourage students from going to Broughdale as there are more academic pressures in terms of assignments and exam preparation. There is also a better chance that the weather in late October will be less favourable for a street party,” Western had posted on their website.
The decision was viewed to be a good and bad idea to some students because although the disruptions were reduced, the idea to move the event gave students two weekends to party, and took away from the overall Homecoming weekend experience.
Olivia Georgopoulos, a student at Western, commented on the moving of the date.
“I think that it was a good move by Western in an attempt to decrease partying and disruptions, but from a student perspective it took away from the homecoming turnout and celebrations. Many people rebelled against the decision and partied on both weekends regardless of weather and school work, but I feel it would have been more convenient if everyone celebrated one homecoming.”
Despite this fact, the statistics showing the 2016 Project L.E.A.R.N. results proved to be better than last year. The statistics are posted below:
• Total 2016 Offenses: 291
• Total 2015 Offenses: 814
• Total 2016 Criminal Charges: 37
• Student 2016 Criminal Charges: 14
• Total 2015 Criminal Charges: 23
• Student 2015 Criminal Charges: 5
• Total 2016 Offenses Notices: 254
• Student 2016 Offense Notices: 119
• Total 2015 Offense Notices: 791
• Student 2015 Offense Notices: 499
Although there was an increase in students receiving criminal charges this year (37.8 per cent of all charges laid were students in 2016, as oppose to 21.7 per cent in 2015) the reduction of overall offenses handed out provides promising and progressive results for Project L.E.A.R.N.
London police feel Project LE.A.R.N was a success.
“This year was very successful, thanks to the co-operation and communication between London police and the student body,” said Sandasha Bough for the London Police Service, adding, “There was less provincial notices handed out as a result.”
Steve Malott, a student at Fanshawe, expressed his feelings on the reduction of overall offenses being handed out.
“I think it’s good what they [the London Police Department] did, and I’m happy that they didn’t target students and focus on giving them criminal records. It is good for the community and the safety of everyone. It is promising that the number of offences is so much lower in 2016 compared to 2015. It makes me feel that either students are smartening up or the police initiatives are working.”
During Western University’s Reunion and Homecoming weekends, police initiated Project L.E.A.R.N. (Liquor Enforcement And Reduction of Noise). Police increased their presence in neighbourhoods surrounding Fanshawe, Western and the downtown core, as a response to the events.
Earlier this year, Western announced it would be moving Homecoming weekend to Oct. 22, and introducing it as Reunion weekend instead. This was an attempt to curb immense amounts of partying on Broughdale, explaining on their website that moving the date was a strategic decision.
“By moving Homecoming to late October we hope to discourage students from going to Broughdale as there are more academic pressures in terms of assignments and exam preparation. There is also a better chance that the weather in late October will be less favourable for a street party,” Western had posted on their website.
The decision was viewed to be a good and bad idea to some students because although the disruptions were reduced, the idea to move the event gave students two weekends to party, and took away from the overall Homecoming weekend experience.
Olivia Georgopoulos, a student at Western, commented on the moving of the date.
“I think that it was a good move by Western in an attempt to decrease partying and disruptions, but from a student perspective it took away from the homecoming turnout and celebrations. Many people rebelled against the decision and partied on both weekends regardless of weather and school work, but I feel it would have been more convenient if everyone celebrated one homecoming.”
Despite this fact, the statistics showing the 2016 Project L.E.A.R.N. results proved to be better than last year. The statistics are posted below:
• Total 2016 Offenses: 291
• Total 2015 Offenses: 814
• Total 2016 Criminal Charges: 37
• Student 2016 Criminal Charges: 14
• Total 2015 Criminal Charges: 23
• Student 2015 Criminal Charges: 5
• Total 2016 Offenses Notices: 254
• Student 2016 Offense Notices: 119
• Total 2015 Offense Notices: 791
• Student 2015 Offense Notices: 499
Although there was an increase in students receiving criminal charges this year (37.8 per cent of all charges laid were students in 2016, as oppose to 21.7 per cent in 2015) the reduction of overall offenses handed out provides promising and progressive results for Project L.E.A.R.N.
London police feel Project LE.A.R.N was a success.
“This year was very successful, thanks to the co-operation and communication between London police and the student body,” said Sandasha Bough for the London Police Service, adding, “There was less provincial notices handed out as a result.”
Steve Malott, a student at Fanshawe, expressed his feelings on the reduction of overall offenses being handed out.
“I think it’s good what they [the London Police Department] did, and I’m happy that they didn’t target students and focus on giving them criminal records. It is good for the community and the safety of everyone. It is promising that the number of offences is so much lower in 2016 compared to 2015. It makes me feel that either students are smartening up or the police initiatives are working.”
