Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) says several thousand people pushed through the fences at a free Billy Talent concert in Port Colborne, Ont., on Saturday.
Municipal officials said the venue at H. H. Knoll Park had reached capacity just before 9:30 p.m., at which point police decided to close the surrounding fences.
The show was part a free, three-day festival called Canal Days.
Police said, in a statement Monday, a crowd of about 4,000 to 5,000 people outside the fences then pushed through the perimeter, challenging officers and security guards and leaving one officer with minor injuries. The officer returned to duty, the service said.
The City of Port Colborne says about 15 minor injuries were reported among the concertgoers. Police, meanwhile, said no injuries were reported to officers.
Organizers decided to shut down alcohol service in the interest of public safety, the city added.
Roughly 25,000 people showed up at the small venue, more than double the 10,000 expected.
Police said it was decided to let the concert continue after consulting with members of Billy Talent.
Mayor says people need to ‘smarten up’
The mayor of Port Colborne, Bill Steele, told CBC Hamilton he was there when it happened.
He said the municipality told the public the event was at capacity but it didn’t seem to stop some from trying to watch the free concert.
“It’s unfortunate … these people decided they didn’t have to follow the rules,” he said in a phone interview on Tuesday.
“Smarten up, come on. Let’s have some decorum … it’s unacceptable.”
Steele also expressed gratitude for the support of event staff and volunteers as well as the response from police and security services.
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