This year’s St. Paddy’s street party almost a tenth of 2019 size

Turns out, last month's sea of green in Waterloo's University District was relatively smaller and less rowdy.

Police chief Bryan Larkin said these were “significant successes” after comparison to 2019. 

This March saw the first St. Patrick's Day event since heavier COVID restrictions the past two years, when public health officials urged students not to gather.

“We went from over 33,000 individuals in an unsanctioned event to just around 3,500 to 4,000 individuals,” Larkin told the police services board during a meeting Wednesday. 

He credited that to good planning.

Fencing this year blocked off Ezra Street behind Wilfrid Laurier University and forced eager partiers over to neighbouring Marshall and Regina streets. 

There was also heavy police presence.

In past years, Ezra Street drew floods of students celebrating St. Patrick's Day.

“For myself and from an operational perspective, we deem that as tremendous support,” said Larkin.

There was a drop in the number of charges laid this year–from 512 in 2019 to 154 this year.

In 2019, there were 216 calls for police service, while last month saw 90.

There were also no street gatherings this year during the weekend after St. Patrick's Day.

In 2019, 46 charges were laid and there were 126 calls for service that weekend.

Last month's celebration was also less costly for the region.

Police operational costs for St. Patty's and the weekend totalled about $204,100.

In 2019, about $767,211 was spent in services.