City of Waterloo, regional emergency services urge against Homecoming street parties

The City of Waterloo and local emergency services are warning local university students to not engage in large street gatherings during Laurier’s Homecoming weekend.

In a statement released yesterday, Waterloo Regional Police (WRPS) Regional Paramedic Services and the City of Waterloo are working with both local universities to “ensure the safety of students and community members.”

“While we want people to enjoy the Homecoming weekend, we want them to do it safely and responsibly,” said WRPS Chief Mark Crowell in a press release. “If celebrating, we encourage you to do so in small gatherings or licenced establishments. Large, unsanctioned gatherings are not only unsafe, they place unreasonable strain on WRPS resources, as well as on our emergency service partners and on the health care system.”

Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe issued an open letter to students on Tuesday encouraging them to be safe during the Homecoming weekend. McCabe, a graduate of Laurier, said she does not want to see students put a strain on a health care system that is already stretched thin.

“We love having post secondary students in our communities and what it brings to Waterloo,” said McCabe. “Waterloo wouldn’t be Waterloo without the energy the students bring, but we ask them to be mindful of the impact they make.”

Waterloo City Council this month also made amendments to their nuisance bylaw. The new changes include a definition of a “Nuisance Party” replaces the current section related to gatherings and including behaviours that could be a concern to public safety. Mayor McCabe noted the biggest change is the prohibition of climbing on rooftops after seeing multiple instances during university-related celebrations.

“It really is preventative in nature, so that bylaw officers see someone on a roof structure at any time of year and instruct them not to be up there,” she said.