Mayor wants action on FOCO before someone 'gets killed'

London Mayor Ed Holder has come down on Western University for not moving fast enough to deal with out of control partying at the so-calledFake Homecoming celebrations.

Holder said at a committee meeting Wednesdaythat he's running out of patience with Western's slow response to the issue.

"There will be blood on all of our hands .. because people are being stupid, or are being encouraged by othersto bestupid."

FOCO, or fake homecoming, began two years ago, when the university moved its annual homecoming celebrations from late September to mid-October.

The administration said at the time the aim was"to address a variety of concerns associated with the unsanctioned and unsupervised street party that has taken place in recent years on homecoming weekend."

• Exasperated by massive street party, police chief calls for more help from Western

But the planbackfired. Last year, police released aerial footage of the party showing thousands of revellers packed onto sides streets around the university and spilling onto Richmond.

Students explain the party is so legendarythat people will fly from all corners of the country just to be there.

"Last year, dozens of young people were injured and one person in particular was seriously injured by jumping off a roof," Holder said. "It's only a matter of time before someone gets killed."

Holder saidthere's an obligation on all parties including police and emergency services to act, but he says the administration at Western in particular has to take action.

"There are two parts to this," Holder said. "One is strong communications using social media. The second part is academic sanctions as well as penalties associated with breaking the law."

Schools strategize

Western University has been meeting with other post-secondary institutions across the province to discuss street parties. Nine schools, including Carleton, Guelphand the University of Ottawa met at Laurierlast week to strategize.

They agreed to hold all homecoming football games over two weekends thisfall in a bid to curb unsanctioned student parties.

• Ontario homecoming football games limited to two weekends to deter student parties

In London, the mayor said he intends to use his position on the school's board of governors to influencechange. He also notes that City Manager Martin Hayward is part of a "high level committee" working to deal with the issue.