Two officers injured, 232 charges laid by WRPS during Waterloo St. Patrick’s Day weekend
Two officers injured, 232 charges laid by WRPS during Waterloo St. Patrick’s Day weekend
The Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) says its officers laid 232 charges and arrested 18 people in connection to the large St. Patrick’s Day street party in Waterloo’s university district.
It said two officers sustained minor injuries when they responded to a report of property damage on Marshall Street.
“It is unfortunate that we continue to see individuals take part in unlawful and unsanctioned gatherings that pose significant safety concerns to the public and to emergency service providers,” said Mark Crowell, WRPS Chief of Police in the news release. “I want to extend my thanks to our members and community partners for the significant planning and preparation that led up to this event to ensure the safety and well-being of the community.”
According to police, highway traffic act violations were the most common infraction, with 96 charges laid.
Liquor Licence Control Act offences were a close second with 92 charges laid, followed by 19 criminal code and Controlled Drugs Substances Act charges and 15 charges classified as “other.”
Data from the Waterloo Regional Police Service breaks down the charges laid in connect to St. Patrick's Day this year. (WRPS)
LAST YEAR'S DATA
Compared to numbers released in 2022, WRPS responded to more incidents last year and laid more charges. However, last year's data from police covered a 70-hour period, whereas this year it covered a 43-hour period.
Last year’s data shows WRPS laid 193 charges, and arrested 22 people with a total of 552 incidents.
Last year’s celebrations saw Liquor Licence and Control Act infractions as the highest offence, with 117 charges laid.
At the time, WRPS Chief of Police Bryan Larkin said, “We are disappointed that, despite encouraging individuals to celebrate responsibly in smaller gatherings or licenced establishments, many opted to gather on the street, forcing road closures. As we move forward, we will continue to work together with our community partners to find alternatives to this unlawful gathering.”
CITY OF WATERLOO BYLAW
The City of Waterloo bylaw team said they had fewer complaints and proactive responses compared to previous years, but equivalent charges were laid at 30.
“We are disappointed that some individuals did choose to participate in an unsanctioned street gathering once again,” said Nicole Papke, director of municipal enforcement for the City of Waterloo. “We are incredibly grateful that the primary goal of public safety was achieved.”
It seems the post-party clean-up did grow this year, with more spaces that required attention.
There was a significant increase in traffic and parking violations, with 916 tickets given out on March 17.
Papke noted these types of events can place a strain on public services, such as hospitals and paramedic services.
For context, this was the first year the city enforced an overnight parking ban in the party area.
The City posted on Friday morning it was banning overnight on-street parking permitted in the MacGregor Albert, Northdale or uptown neighbourhoods.
Overnight on-street parking exemptions will not be allowed in the area bordered by Westmount Road, Columbia Street, Weber Street and Erb Street.
GUELPH
In the City Of Guelph, police and bylaw said they responded to 23 noise complaints Friday through Saturday with just one ticket issued that was for loud music.
Guelph police said nearly a thousand cars went through their ride program, and 12 charges were laid including one arrest for impaired driving.
In Alberta today, the United Conservative Party is looking to win a second consecutive majority government while the NDP is fighting to regain the office it lost in 2019.
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is pushing for special rapporteur David Johnston to 'step aside' from his role examining the issue of foreign interference before he embarks on public hearings.
New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan said Monday that Canada's spy agency has confirmed her long-held belief she is being targeted by the Chinese government, as the prime minister granted the NDP's wish to allow more party members to review top-secret intelligence.
William Karlsson, William Carrier and Jonathan Marchessault are finally getting another chance in the Stanley Cup Final, after the first one that came so quick for the Vegas Golden Knights.
Eastern Conference finals Most Valuable Player Jimmy Butler scored 28 points, and Caleb Martin had 26 points and 10 rebounds to help the eighth-seeded Miami Heat beat the Celtics 103-84 in Game 7 on Monday night and advance to the NBA Finals for the second time in four seasons.
Canadian political leaders and parliamentarians are denouncing a new law passed in Uganda that imposes harsh penalties, including the death penalty, for certain cases involving homosexuality.
There's a heightened risk of wildfires across the country during what has been one of the earliest fire seasons on record. From British Columbia to Nova Scotia, here's where the risk is highest.
Windsor city council voted Monday in favour of adopting a master plan with high hopes for City Hall Square and a so-called civic esplanade stretching down to the river
A united front was on full display Monday as community leaders, politicians, business people, unions and educators gathered together at Windsor City Hall to ensure the NextStar Energy battery plant deal gets closed.
Doctors in their final year of training, called residency, can choose to do a one-month rotation at the Shelter Health Initiative (SHI) caring for Windsor’s homeless population.
The body of a Winnipeg boy who fell into Sturgeon Falls on Saturday has been found following a desperate underwater search that lasted more than a day.
The Sandy Hill Child Care Centre has an extra two weeks to get its new home up to code months after a fire destroyed its original site on Wilbrod Street.
Ottawa police are praising a local dad for quickly calling for help Sunday afternoon when he accidentally locked his keys in his car, and his infant child along with them.
Ontario Provincial Police say a driver from Augusta Township is facing an impaired driving charge after someone on Highway 416 spotted a vehicle moving erratically.
The union representing the majority of Quebec's daycare workers is criticizing the government's decision to launch a skimpy 90-hour training program for people who want to be daycare workers but have no prior experience.
A Quebec driver who caused the death of another motorist when he swerved his truck to avoid hitting a family of ducks on the road has been sentenced to eight months in jail and a three-year driving ban.
A Winnipeg family is asking for help to find their missing teenage son whom they haven't seen since he left for school in the Fort Richmond area last Wednesday morning.
The body of a Winnipeg boy who fell into Sturgeon Falls on Saturday has been found following a desperate underwater search that lasted more than a day.
In Alberta today, the United Conservative Party is looking to win a second consecutive majority government while the NDP is fighting to regain the office it lost in 2019.
One long-time electoral tradition came to an end on election day, when Postmedia announced there would be no printed newspaper announcing the winner in Calgary.
In Alberta today, the United Conservative Party is looking to win a second consecutive majority government while the NDP is fighting to regain the office it lost in 2019.
Over 170,000 elementary and high school students weighed in on the Alberta election and the NDP had to hope the real voters were listening, because they won the kids' vote.
On Monday, Fraser Health provided two senior leaders to address the latest letter outlining risks to patients, allegations of muzzling, and pleas for help from emergency physicians in the health authority's hospitals.
The president of the BC Trucking Association is issuing renewed calls for safety after a trailer truck smashed into an overhead pass Monday morning in Langley.
Data from the Waterloo Regional Police Service breaks down the charges laid in connect to St. Patrick's Day this year. (WRPS)
