Last year, the city had to pay $55 000 in police coverage for Western University’s fake homecoming. This year, FOCO is taking costs to a whole new level. City council had a chat with London Police Chief John Pare and estimated costs to the city and taxpayers this year is over $100 000.
“We received a report just a few minutes ago from the chief of police, where he said that the cost of policing in terms of this event, alone, is expected to be more than $100 000 dollars,” said ward 6 councilor Phil Squire.
“Alone,” meaning that ambulance and fire services that were also used over the weekend are not included in the $100 000. The city and taxpayers of London now have one large bill at their hands. With the city now upset with the massive numbers, Squire says students need to become more aware of what their actions are truly causing.
“I think we have to get to the point now and realize there’s a huge cost to this, A. And B, the chief of police has said to us that this is a public safety risk for not just the people attending, but also for our first responders.”
The city is ready to move forward with ways to combat the FOCO festivities even if it means keeping the event from occurring next year.
“The alternative is that eventually the event is going to come to an end by some pretty drastic action,” Squire said.
Squire says he would never want to see FOCO get shut down because he used to party back in his days. There could be a way to hold parties for FOCO without it costing the city a fortune.
“I think there’s a way people can have fun and enjoy an event without it making it here to a discussion in council.”
Unfortunately after this year, FOCO needs to be brought up in council and committee meetings to prepare for how to deal with next year’s disaster.
“I think the sort of idea that we’re not gonna come to the table and talk about this is no longer viable,” he said
Councillors will discuss future plans for FOCO events at upcoming council and committee meetings early next month so, thousands of dollars never have to be paid by the city for such intensive partying again.
