Police out as Niagara students ditch class for Beach Day

Police and private security officers deployed to Crystal Beach on Friday as thousands of high school students skipped class for Beach Day, Niagara’s unofficial end-of-year tradition.

On the first Friday of June, high school students across Niagara leave school to gather at popular beaches, with Crystal Beach drawing one of the heaviest crowds in the region.

Elementary students also had a PA day.

Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) and Ontario Provincial Police both increased patrols across Niagara, monitoring for underage drinking, impaired driving and boating, property damage and fighting.

Officers were also present at Sunset Beach in St. Catharines and Long Beach in Wainfleet.

NRPS posted a video to Facebook ahead of the day. Constables delivered a direct message to students planning to attend.

“We know Beach Day is coming. We know it’s an unsanctioned event. We know you’re planning on being there. You know we’re planning on being there, too. Let’s go,” the constables said in the video.

Police warned that fighting carries a $300 fine. Open alcohol in unauthorized areas carries a $125 fine. The fire department prohibited fires and fireworks on the beach.

Niagara Region Public Health tested Bay Beach the day before and certified it open for swimming, with water temperatures sitting at 14 C as of June 4. Public Health posts current results online and warns that quality can drop quickly after heavy rainfall or high winds.

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