'Extremely dangerous': Ezra Avenue St. Patrick's Day street party biggest ever, say police

More than 33,000 people flooded Ezra and Bricker Avenues on Sunday, making 2019 the largest unsanctioned St. Patrick's Day party in the city's history.

That compares to an estimated 22,000 people in 2018, when the party cost the region, police and universities more than $713,000 to contain — with limited success. 

"This estimate is based on the attendance in the Ezra Avenue corridor during the day's busiest time and is not a reflection of the total attendance for the day," said police in a news release Wednesday.

"This year the density of the crowd was more significant than ever and causes us even greater concern," said Chief Bryan Larkin. "As we move forward, we will continue to meet with our community partners and members of the joint taskforce to find alternatives to this unlawful and extremely dangerous gathering."

Police said officers responded to 205 calls for service, generating "809 occurrences" related to the street party. Of that number, 18 people were arrested and 514 people were charged for the following offences:

• Liquor Licence Act: 376 charges.
• Highway Traffic Act: 110 charges.
• Bylaw offences: 16 charges.
• Criminal Code offences: 6 charges (including assault, mischief, resist arrest and impaired-related offences). 
• Trespass to Property Act: 2 charges.
• Cannabis Act: 2 charges.
• Controlled Drugs and Substances act: 1 charge.
• Other offences: 1 charge. 

Last year, the Waterloo Regional Police Service laid 495 charges.

On Sunday, Waterloo Regional Police said they were "very disappointed" about the lack of respect shown by party goers, citing reports of property damage and bottles thrown at officers and into the crowd. 

Extra paramedics 

Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services said 11 extra paramedic crews were added to the rotation on Sunday, assigned specifically to the area around Ezra Avenue. 

Over the course of the day, it said paramedics received 80 calls for service and took 52 people to hospital. Grand River Hospital said 59 patients were assessed in its emergency room, while St. Mary's General Hospital saw 19 patients between 1 and 4:30 p.m. 

"Most of the patients admitted required treatment for the over consumption of alcohol, head injuries, lacerations, falls and fractures," said the news release.

City of Waterloo's bylaw department said it received 171 calls, most of which were related to noise and public nuisance, and it towed 35 vehicles and issued 700 tickets and traffic fines.

Waterloo Fire Rescue Services responded to 27 calls for service.

The University of Waterloo said it issued nine alcohol-related tickets, and special constables from Wilfrid Laurier University issued 85 charges under the Trespass to Property Act, 31 charges under the Liquor Licence Act and 11 bylaw offences. 

Crowd 'cannot continue to surge'  

Waterloo Mayor Dave Jaworsky said he was very concerned with the size of the Sunday's event, which he said will be looked at by the unsanctioned public gathering task force.  

The city's focus Sunday was through a safety lens, he said.

"We can be thankful for the past number of years we've had a relatively safe party where everybody gets home okay," said Mayor Jaworsky.

"As a a community we are saying we don't want anything to happen. But will something happen someday? It's hard to predict, but the crowd cannot continue to surge like that."

2019, the final hurrah?

Prior to this year's unsanctioned party, Waterloo Mayor Dave Jaworksy told CBC Kitchener-Waterloo he hoped 2019 would be the last major St. Patrick's Day party on Ezra Avenue. A leap year in 2020 means the following three years will see March 17 fall mid-week.

Jaworsky said he hopes that would mean fewer out of town attendees and fewer students overall, compared to past years when St. Patrick's Day has fallen on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday. 

"There's a place for people to enjoy St. Patrick's Day in their own community," Jaworsky said. "We really shouldn't have to look to the people, citizens, of Waterloo to pay for the large cost that could be better spent on other things, such as homelessness and affordable housing."

In its news release, the Waterloo Regional Police Service encouraged members of the public to have their say about unsanctioned public events in a survey conducted by the public gatherings task force.

The total cost of services provided by police, paramedic, bylaw enforcement and fire officials won't be released for at least another four weeks.