If Waterloo Regional Police had a problem with a Laurier student group’s plan to serve beer to students at a charity fundraiser on St. Patrick’s Day, the group’s president says, they should have raised their objections sooner – and without seizing the group’s 4,400 cans of beer.

“I would have loved to be warned – someone reach out and say ‘Hey, you guys have been doing it for a while, you can’t do it anymore,’” says Vince Amodeo, president of Wilfrid Laurier University’s Loyal Order of the Water Buffaloes.

On Sunday, acting on information they picked up through social media, police searched a Columbia Street house and removed the beer.

Police said it was part of a crackdown on unlicensed parties.

If the Water Buffaloes had applied for and been granted a liquor permit to hold the party, police say, there would have been no issue.

Amodeo says the group has been holding similar events for years – especially on St. Patrick’s Day and homecoming weekend – and never run into problems with the police.

“We serve beer, we serve pancakes, we serve water – whatever you want,” he says.

“It’s a good event for students to come socialize and have fun.”

Amodeo describes the Water Buffaloes as a “student-run charity” and says all proceeds from Monday’s event, had it happened, would have been donated to the food bank – although he also admits that charity might not be the first word other students associate with the group.

“If you ask on campus, the Water Buffaloes are known for throwing big, legendary events – which we love doing,” he says.

“A lot of our work with charity is known, but it’s not the first thing you think of.”

Asking students what they know about the group, many are quick to mention the phrase “drinking group” – but that’s not what third-year Laurier student Rosa Naclerio came up with.

“They’ve been known as a group that’s done well for our community and for people in need,” says Naclerio, adding that she too was surprised at the crackdown on the St. Patrick’s Day party.

Amodeo says the group will work with the police, apply for permits and do whatever else they need to do to pull off their fundraisers legally next year.

In the meantime, police say they expect to lay charges against multiple people under the Liquor License Act.

“We’re going to be looking at all avenues … to make sure that people do follow rules and obtain permits,” says Staff Sgt. Shaena Morris.

As for the beer itself, the Water Buffaloes say they’d like to see it sold to the public with the proceeds donated to charity – but Morris says normal police procedure is to dispose of seized alcohol.