Massive 2018 St. Patrick's Day street party prompts community task force

Community leaders are forming a task force in an effort to address the increasing cost of unsanctioned St. Patrick's Day parties in the City of Waterloo. 

• Over 22,000 people partied on Ezra Avenue on St. Patrick's day
• St. Patrick's Day guest policy at student residences changed after outcry

University students, municipal leaders and emergency officials are scheduled to meet at Waterloo City Hall at 10:00 a.m. Friday to discuss the cost of this year's celebrations, which drew a crowd of over 22,000 people to Ezra Avenue. 

In the days leading up to March 17, Waterloo Regional Police Services had plans to crack down on street parties and liquor licence violations. It even brought in officers from Peel Regional Police Service for extra security.

Police had a plan

"We will not support a street party," said Police Chief Bryan Larkin at the time. "We will move people from the street, we'll encourage them to celebrate in the entertainment district, we'll encourage them to celebrate at a backyard barbecue."

• How Waterloo Regional Police have been preparing for St. Patrick's Day
• Police outsourcing officers to end St. Patrick's Ezra street party
• Laurier stands with police against St. Patrick's Day Ezra street party

But that is not what happened. By noon on St. Patrick's Day, the street party on Ezra Avenue had grown so large that police decided to close the area to traffic. 

After the party ended, police said it was the largest celebration thus far. 619 charges were laid, which police communications officer Cherri Greeno said was a "substantial increase from last year, when we had 197 charges laid."

Police will announce Friday how much the 2018 street party cost the service — expected to exceed the 2017 pricetag of $120,000.