Homecoming weekend raises safety concerns in Waterloo region
Partygoers have returned to Waterloo’s university district for homecoming festivities and revelers are excited to be back taking part in a long-standing tradition they missed out on because of the pandemic.
This will be the first time since 2019 that students will be able to celebrate without pandemic-related restrictions and officials are on high alert for what the weekend could bring.
Students dressed in purple and gold lined the streets and lawns of houses around the Wilfrid Laurier University campus Saturday afternoon, anticipating plenty of celebrations.
“Homecoming is the best day of the year. We’re coming home, I love homecoming,” said a student.
Fencing has been put up along Ezra Avenue which has seen partiers move over to the nearby Regina-Marshall Street area.
There are growing concerns that homecoming celebrations could get out of control after a party earlier this month on Ezra Avenue left a trail of damage including a badly damaged truck.
A resident living at the corner of Regina and Marshall Street reported an unsanctioned gathering Friday night that ended in violence.
“My neighbours’ cars got keyed and their tires got slashed. I got attacked in my own driveway to the point where I rebroke my jaw. If anyone tells me that they did just party respectfully, they’re lying to themselves. It was not respectful. It was pure, utter violence and chaos last night,” the resident said.
Police say the only charges handed out as of Saturday afternoon have been alcohol-related, along with noise and nuisance bylaw infractions.
A heavy police presence will remain Saturday evening as police continue to ask people to celebrate in a safe and lawful way.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.