Fireworks seized, 1 person charged after police called to Kitchener's Victoria Park on Canada Day

The City of Kitchener closed Victoria Park on Tuesday night after reports of people setting off fireworks.

Const. Chris Iden, a spokesperson for Waterloo Regional Police Service, said police and bylaw officers received multiple calls within the downtown core of Kitchener and Victoria Park starting at 4:30 p.m. and until after midnight.

"Police had to respond to multiple nuisance type calls that include public disturbances, large crowds gathering, fireworks being used and ju+st a large group of dangerous conditions," Iden said.

Hundreds of people had gathered throughout the park and the downtown areas of Kitchener, including a sanctioned gathering in front of Kitchener's city hall. Others took part in large unsanctioned gatherings at Victoria Park and downtown, which is what led to multiple disturbance calls.

The city announced the park was closed at 10 p.m. and would reopen on Wednesday morning.

"We understand that this closure may be inconvenient for some residents, but the safety of our community is our top priority," the city said in its statement.

Police said one person, a 17-year-old male, was charged with possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose. As well, several tickets were handed out for trespassing and officers seized fireworks from several young people in the park.

Exact numbers of charges and investigations were not yet available first thing Wednesday morning, but police said they responded to calls throughout the region for reckless use of fireworks, noise complaints, public intoxication and disturbances.

"There were numerous investigations that we had to respond to and we are still investigating," Iden said.

More details are expected to be released in the next few days.