City staff are calling a pilot project aimed at curbing drunken street parties in the Queen’s University area a success and are recommending city council make it a permanent bylaw.

The University District Safety Initiative, unveiled a year ago, was meant to give police new authority to enforce the city’s nuisance party bylaw.

Central to the pilot project was a requirement that anyone charged under the bylaw during Orientation Week, Homecoming or St. Patrick’s Day received a court summons and had to appear before a justice of the peace. They were not given the option to settle the charge by mail, online or by phone.

“Prior to the launch of the University District Safety Initiative, revellers were able to take control of University District streets as house parties grew out of control,” Lanie Hurdle, acting chief administrative officer, wrote in a report to council. “After the launch of the safety initiative, staff have seen less streets overtaken by partygoers and the area for enforcement has become more condensed. To prevent the spread of dangerous or life-threatening behaviours, decisive early intervention will continue to be required at future events within the district.”

Since coming into effect, 429 bylaw charges have gone before the Provincial Offences Court.

The court set aside 10 days specifically to hear charges related to nuisance party bylaw infractions, including first appearances where guilty pleas were entered and second and third appearances where not guilty pleas were entered and trials were scheduled.

More than $70,000 in fines were issued, including victim surcharge amount and court costs.