No ‘grey area’ at Whiteouts; disorderly partygoers will get ejected: police

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This article was published 14/04/2019 (1837 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

In the wake of a few drunken loogans causing trouble at the most recent Whiteout street party, Winnipeg police and event organizers are aiming to make sure there’s no such trouble next time around.

On Thursday, the Winnipeg Jets play host to the St. Louis Blues in Game 5 of the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs. On April 12, as the Jets lost the second of two games on home ice, the Whiteout party’s unblemished reputation was sullied by attendees misbehaving on the streets outside Bell MTS Place.

“During Friday’s game, officers were faced with a busier street party than experienced at prior games,” Winnipeg Police Service Const. Jay Murray said Monday.

“Some challenges included several fights, medical calls and a number of individuals who were detained under the Intoxicated Person’s Detention Act and transported to the Main Street Project.”

The street parties began during home playoff dates last year, when the Jets made it all the way to the Western Conference final before being eliminated May 20 by the Las Vegas Golden Knights. Outside the arena at the street party, however, disappointed Jets fans remained good sports, with no drunken brawls or vandalism reported.

With the Jets facing elimination in the best-of-seven series should the Blues win Game 4 in St. Louis on Tuesday, police and party organizers hope Jets fans are on their best behaviour — but are bracing for if they’re not.

“We recognize that there may be several factors that could influence the demeanour of the crowd during Game No. 5’s street party,” said Murray.

“The Winnipeg Police Service is committed to ensuring a safe environment for everyone looking to enjoy the celebrations,” he said. “This means that we will not wait for a grey area — if a partygoer is becoming disorderly, they will be ejected, in consultation with event security.

“Additional officers and resources are deployed on game days, and Winnipeggers can continue to expect to see an increased police presence before, during and after the games.”

Economic Development Winnipeg president and chief executive officer Dayna Spiring said the group is working closely with police, Downtown Winnipeg Business Improvement Zone and Jets/arena owner True North Sports and Entertainment Ltd. to ensure the street parties are safe and fun for attendees.

“Safety is always top of mind as we’ve planned these events,” Spiring said in an email. “We do encourage everyone attending the street parties to be safe, and drink responsibly, if that’s how they choose to celebrate.”

She called the Whiteout events “an overwhelming success so far.”

“The rest of North America has seen Winnipeg coming together to celebrate our hockey team, and our city,” Spiring said. “We’re looking forward to welcoming Jets fans on Thursday night to another celebration.”

Whiteout tickets are $5 and sold in advance. All 15,000 tickets to the April 12 event were sold by that morning.

The street party features large video screens for viewing the game, food trucks, vendors serving beverages and snacks, activities, and a host and DJ to entertain fans pre-game and during TV commercials and intermissions.

There is also “appropriate security” and “infrastructure” to ensure the area is safe and well-managed, the Whiteout website says.

“Our teams, including our watch ambassadors, host ambassadors and CHAT (community homeless assistance team) will continue to serve all of downtown with a presence at the street parties, in addition to the presence they have daily throughout downtown,” said Downtown BIZ marketing director Tineke Buiskool-Leeuwma.

carol.sanders@freepress.mb.ca