CREDIT: MELANIE ANDERSON
London Police Chief Brad Duncan addresses the media during a press conference at Police Headquarters on September 5.

If there's one thing to note about the London Police Service this fall, it's that they will be watching you. Project L.E.A.R.N (Liquor Enforcement And Reduction in Noise) is in full force, which, according to Police Chief Brad Duncan, means that "Police will be maintaining a highly visible presence to proactively dissuade behaviour that is inappropriate and disruptive to the community." Police also work in collaboration with Campus Security, who monitor over 300 security cameras on campus.

As of September 5, the London Police Service had 95 officers on duty; they laid 13 Criminal Charges and delivered 415 Provincial Offence Notices. "Surprisingly," said Duncan, "more than half those charges were for individuals other than UWO and Fanshawe students." Nonetheless, the focus is on student- heavy areas, and in particular Fleming Drive.

The London Police force will spend $350,000 on Project L.E.A.R.N this year. With an impressive track record, there is proof that Project L.E.A.R.N has been successful. Duncan pointed out, "From 2008 to 2011, there was a noticeable reduction in the number of Criminal Charges being laid: 130 in 2008 and 54 in 2011." Between 2010 and 2011 there was a reduction of over 300 Provincial Offence Notices that were laid. "There appeared to be a slow but steady change in individual perspectives that resulted in the reduction of rowdy behaviours primarily associated with excessive consumption of alcohol," he added.

Duncan paused. "Then came March 17, 2012."

As a result of the St. Patrick's Day Fleming Drive riot, which resulted in 175 Criminal Code Charges being laid, a new public nuisance bylaw was created in the city. Duncan clarified, "A nuisance party is described as a social gathering on any premise where the conduct of those present results in disorderly conduct, public drunkenness, damage to public or private property, unreasonable noise, unlawful open burning, public disturbances and public urinating, to name a few." The bylaw places the responsibility on the owner, the occupant and the tenant of a residence who allows or permits a nuisance party on their premise. Under the public nuisance bylaw, London police officers have the ability to charge a minimum of $500 and a maximum of $10,000.

We all know that the Fleming Drive incident created an awful reputation for Fanshawe and the surrounding community. But Duncan urged London to bounce back, emphasizing our ability to reinvent our reputation in a positive manner. The Police Service wants to make sure that individuals who are students and renters understand that they can collectively make a difference in our community. Duncan assured the public, "We're quite prepared this year to ramp up police presence … I can tell you the planning is unbelievable — what goes into these Project L.E.A.R.Ns, it takes many months of planning." But after eight years of completing Project L.E.A.R.N, London Police are hoping to one day no longer have to provide the service.

London Police have also decided to increase communication with students, hoping to prevent these incidents from happening before they begin. Project L.E.A.R.N members are going out into the neighbourhoods that are known to traditionally house students, going door-to-door and speaking to as many occupants as they can. "We haven't had this kind of an emphasis in the past where we've had the chief engage the students," Duncan noted, "But I think they need to hear it, and to know that they can change the pattern of activity in a positive way."

Manager of bylaw enforcement for the City of London Orest Katolyk said the city is highly involved. "We've already been out there … going door-to-door, sending letters to the landlords, and talking to the student groups at Fanshawe and Western."

In a controversial statement, Mayor Fontana told first-year Western students at a rally during Frosh Week, "I know the President of your school wants you to study hard, but that's all bullshit. You should just have fun."

When asked about the comment, Chief Duncan noted, "You need to take that into context … I think he would also say it's about responsible partying. No one's saying you can't have fun when you go to school, we've all been there."

The consensus? Everyone wants students to have fun — this will be one of the best social experiences of your life... just remember everything's good in moderation.