Regional police issue 183 charges over Homecoming weekend

It appears as though the Waterloo Regional Police Service had a busy Homecoming weekend – as a recent report by the service details a large number of occurrences, as well as nearly 200 charges issued for a variety of offences. 

Ahead of the days of festivities, local officials including those with regional police issued a joint statement calling for an end to unsanctioned street gatherings, decrying the activity as being both unsafe and dangerous – while also warning that those gatherings create a strain on emergency resources.

Between the hours of 8 a.m. on Saturday and 6 a.m. on Sunday, regional police indicate that 298 “occurrences” were generated in the community – including 67 that were “citizen generated”. 

Of the occurrences logged by Waterloo Regional Police, the most common were shown to be liquor offences (72), vehicle stop (68) and bylaw offences (65). Other notable occurrences included 15 instances of unwanted persons, 10 occurrences involving an injured or sick individual and 8 occurrences labelled as “intoxicated person.”

It's also worth noting that regional police had two occurrences involving domestic disputes, two weapons-related calls and two calls involving a fire. 

With regards to charges, regional police indicated that officers laid a total of 183 charges – the majority of which were for infractions under the Liquor Licence Control Act (83). Charges issued during Homecoming weekend also included 75 under the Highway Traffic Act, and 11 under the Criminal Code. 

Police also indicated that a total of eleven arrests were made during the aforementioned time period:

• Three people arrested and charged with Assault
• Two individuals charged with Forcible Confinement
• Two individuals charged with Failure to Comply with Judicial Release
• Two individuals charged with Mischief under $5,000
• One individual charged with Possession of a Weapon for Dangerous Purpose
• One individual charged with Assault with a Weapon

We're getting a look at the latest stats from @WRPSToday on Homecoming weekend in the university district. Between 8 a.m. on Saturday and 6 a.m. on Sunday there were 298 'occurrences', 183 charges laid, and 11 arrests. pic.twitter.com/nTNyXoJaDR

— Erin Anderson (@erinbailey_a) September 27, 2022