OTTAWA —
Panda Game celebrations in Ottawa’s Sandy Hill neighbourhood ended with partygoers taking over a residential street, flipping a car and leaving a trail of garbage and debris.
Mayor Jim Watson says he is “absolutely disgusted” by the incidents, and Ottawa police say “several incidents of criminal behaviour” are under investigation after a large crowd gathered near the University of Ottawa campus late Saturday night.
Approximately 2,000 students descended on the neighbourhood at approximately 8 p.m. to celebrate the Gee-Gees victory over Carleton University in the annual football game Saturday afternoon.
Police say a car was overturned and one person was assaulted during the incident, while paramedics transported seven people to hospital.
CTV News Ottawa cameras were on the scene as a large street party took over Russell Avenue, between Somerset Street and Templeton Street at approximately 11:30 p.m. The footage showed hundreds of people in the middle of the street, with some people jumping on an overturned vehicle.
As the crowd dispersed early Sunday morning, one witness told CTV News Ottawa, “Kids went crazy and they liked three flipped cars and were like partying on it.”
“It’s just crazy.”
Ottawa police cruisers were on the scene to monitor the party and block off the road late Saturday night.
In a statement Sunday afternoon, police said investigators were looking into several incidents of criminal behaviour, and reviewing social media and video of the scene.
Ottawa police and bylaw increased patrols in Sandy Hill, Old Ottawa South and the Glebe, along with around TD Place, before and after the game on Saturday.
“The pre and post game events were very safe and did not disrupt the neighbourhood. However, just after 8 p.m., large crowds began to gather in Sandy Hill at multiple addresses,” said police.
“OPS redeployed a large number of officers and called out members of the Emergency Services Unit. The officers worked to control and manage the groups of people with partners from the RCMP, and City Bylaw, paramedics and Ottawa Fire Services.”
Police say in some cases, the crowds became “very disruptive” in the area of Russell Avenue.
“In one incident, a car was overturned and a person was assaulted. Police are reviewing evidence and will be laying any applicable charges under the Reopening of Ontario Act, Liquor Licence Act, City By-laws as well as any criminal charges under the Criminal Code of Canada,” said police on Sunday afternoon.
“These behaviours are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Investigators have been assigned to identify anyone who committed crimes. The OPS will also work with the University of Ottawa and Carleton University staff where students from those were involved in these behaviours.”
As of 1 p.m. Sunday, no one had been charged in connection to the incidents.
Mayor Watson says he has spoken to Ottawa Police Chief Peter Sloly about the incident, and several investigations are underway.
“I am absolutely disgusted by the behaviour of those involved in the unruly party on Russell Avenue following yesterday’s Panda Game,” said Watson on Twitter Sunday morning..
“Individuals, including police officers, were injured and private and public property was damaged.”
The mayor added the behaviour by some of the students is “completely unacceptable.”
“Those involved should be ashamed of their idiotic and immature behaviour,” said Watson.
“The vast majority of students enjoyed the pre-game activities as well as the game itself. Regrettably, post-game events in Sandy Hill were destructive, especially as we continue our fight against COVID-19.”
A photo posted on social media at 1 a.m. showed a car flipped over and damaged in the middle of Russell Avenue, while garbage littered the street.
Steve Higham posted a video on Twitter showing thousands of people on Russell Avenue, saying it was “Roughly three hours before the cops made their presence known.”
Ottawa paramedics say seven people were transported to hospital from Sandy Hill Saturday night to be treated for minor injuries or alcohol intoxication. All seven people were listed in stable condition.
Coun. Mathieu Fleury told CTV News Ottawa Sunday morning that Ottawa police, Ottawa Bylaw and Regulatory Services and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario are investigating the incidents in Sandy Hill.
In a statement on Twitter, Fleury called the events Saturday night “deplorable and unacceptable.”
“I encourage all authorities to investigate fully; press charges and fines to organisers and those who participated,” said Fleury Sunday afternoon. “Such hooliganism is selfish, puts the community at risk, and cannot go with on without consequences.”
In the days leading up to the Panda Game, police, bylaw services and both the University of Ottawa and Carleton University urged students to be good neighbours during the Panda Game weekend.
UOttawa had previously planned a clean-up patrol in Sandy Hill Sunday morning following the Panda Game.
A volunteer clean-up patrol will be deployed in the neighbourhood at 11 a.m. Sunday.
The University of Ottawa Gee-Gees beat the Carleton Ravens 19-17 to win the 52nd Panda Game at TD Place.
This is a developing story. CTV News Ottawa will have the latest as it becomes available.
With files from The Canadian Press
