WRPS discusses strategies to deal with St. Patrick’s Day street parties

Police are looking for new ways to deter unsanctioned St. Patrick's Day street parties in Waterloo. Krista Simpson has more.

St. Patrick’s Day is still two months away but Waterloo Regional Police are already coming up with ways to deal with the street unsanctioned parties that often pop up.

The parties have grown in size over the years, reigniting concerns about safety and the costs to the community.

WRPS has spent nearly $800,000 on managing the gatherings over the last three years.

Ian McLean, WRPS’ board chair, voiced his concerns at Wednesday’s meeting. He worries someone could get seriously hurt or even die.

“Everything is on the table because we have to try some new things to get it under control,” McLean urged.

Police Chief Mark Crowell said the service is working with first responders, the municipal government and post-secondary institutions to come up with solutions.

“We are working with everybody together and success will come through a variety of initiatives, investments and approaches,” Crowell said.

Police have tried different strategies over the years, including a ticketed tent party up the street to help break up the crowd, as well as putting up fencing along Ezra Avenue to push partiers to the more spacious Marshall Street instead.

Crowell said it’s time for new ideas.

“The increasing attendance at St. Patrick’s Day gatherings over the last number of years is leading us to have that greater concern, and leading us to contemplate solutions that have not been contemplated to this date,” he explained.

That may involve looking at how other universities are handling similar situations.

In Kingston, people caught violating the Liquor License and Control Act had to appear at a mandatory court date.

While in Hamilton, they’ve issued a court injunction prohibiting anyone from attending street parties in parts of the university district on St. Patrick’s Day and during homecoming, meaning there could be criminal implications for those caught at unsanctioned gatherings.

Western University in London, Ont., meanwhile, put stricter academic penalties in place for students who violated the law or the school’s code of conduct. Penalties range from a meeting, to restitution for damages, suspension or even expulsion.

In Guelph, Ont., the police services board asked the university to help cover their costs.

“All options remain on the table,” Crowell said. “Every year is different and we need to be prepared to be adaptable, responsive and for this conversation to evolve because the risk is so high every year. We’ll continue to work at it, and we’re certainly not afraid of trying something new.”

Police have not yet specified which option they are considering for St. Patrick’s Day 2025.