3 youths arrested after police called over fireworks in downtown Kitchener on Victoria Day

Three teens face mischief-related charges after police were called to investigate fireworks being set off in downtown Kitchener Monday night.

Between 8 p.m. and 11:30 p.m., police received numerous reports of people setting off fireworks, including "towards members of the public and police officers in Victoria Park and throughout downtown Kitchener," police said in a media release Tuesday.

Police said "hundreds of people" gathered throughout Victoria Park and in some areas in downtown Kitchener. The Waterloo Regional Police Service called in the Ontario Provincial Police to assist.

Three youths — a 14-year-old, a 17-year-old, and an 18-year-old — were arrested and all handed mischief-related charges. The 17-year-old was "setting off fireworks into a large group of people," police said.

No physical injuries were reported and the police continue to investigate.

On Tuesday, the mayor and one woman who witnessed large crowds in downtown Kitchener taunting police raised concerns about the public's safety.

Audrey Heutzenroeder told CBC News she's "fed up" with feeling like she's not safe in her house anymore. 

On Monday night, she shot video from the window of her condominium near Queen Street and Joseph Street of a large group of young people causing a disturbance, taunting police officers — including yelling "f--k the police" — and shooting fireworks toward an LRT vehicle right outside her window.

"We have a back driveway that people use as a shortcut. It was just getting flooded with [people]. Then they were in the parking lot next door throwing fireworks," she said. "The light rail had to be stopped because they were throwing fireworks onto the tracks."

Heutzenroeder said she watched at least time when officers would "kind of herd them all up and say go home, disperse."

But she said it didn't seem like there was much police could do. they really could not do much.

"I think what scares me isn't so much that there are fireworks … I've lived here for 60 years. There's always been fireworks," she explained. 

She said her concerns on fireworks only grew in the last three years, saying it seems people are organizing with the "intent to cause damage and mischief."

"They're explosive devices that these kids have figured out how to weaponize," she said.

First responders joined forces to manage situation

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic said in a statement Tuesday that "a small group of reckless youth [were] discharging fireworks in dangerous and unlawful ways."

Vrbanovic said the city decided to close Victoria Park as a "proactive safety measure" Monday night and that no serious injuries were reported. He was critical of the "unacceptable and dangerous events that occurred [Monday] night by this small group of rowdy young people who displayed little to no regard for their fellow community members and their safety."

"Across the rest of our city, Victoria Day celebrations were largely peaceful, with citizens celebrating safely and respectfully. This is the kind of city that we know Kitchener to be, and we thank residents for being good neighbours and celebrating appropriately," Vrbanovic said, thanking bylaw, city staff and first responders for working "collaboratively to manage the situation.

2 fireworks robberies under investigation

Police are also investigating a robbery at a convenience store in Cambridge that also happened on Victoria Day evening. 

"Officers were called to the area of St. Andrews Street and Southwood Drive in Cambridge for reports of a robbery at a business. At approximately 9:30 p.m., three suspects attended a convenience store and stole fireworks," the release said.

Police say the suspects threw rocks and shot fireworks at people before fleeing. Minor injuries were reported. 

That follows a theft from a fireworks trailer in Kitchener Saturday night. Police said a group of six to 10 youth were in the parking lot of a plaza on Highlight Road W. and Fischer-Hallman Road and that "several teenage males" entered a trailer that was selling fireworks. The two men working there, aged 25 and 26, had minor physical injuries.

All of this comes following news that Kitchener and Waterloo are currently cutting back on fireworks sales due to firework-related complaints. Residents in both cities will have to buy their fireworks elsewhere starting next year. 

Police are encouraging anyone with information to call Crime Stoppers.