WRPS talking to students, ensuring ‘well-coordinated’ St. Patrick’s Day
Posted Mar 9, 2026 10:27:59 AM.
Last Updated Mar 9, 2026 11:07:31 AM.
The region is just a week away from St. Patrick’s Day, and Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) is already reaching out to students directly ahead of the big day.
In a statement to 570 NewsRadio, WRPS said it has “been working closely with emergency services and community partners over the past several months to ensure a well-coordinated response leading up to St. Patrick’s Day.”
While it’s pushing to create the joint response between the city, services and other groups, it also said that part of its preemptive push involved heading out to talk with students directly.
“WRPS officers have spoken with student unions from the University of Waterloo, Wilfrid Laurier University, and Conestoga College, as well as students in the university district, and provided education about the City of Waterloo’s nuisance bylaw and what to expect if it’s disobeyed.”
It comes after notorious St. Patrick’s Days of years past, with unsanctioned gatherings causing headaches in the City of Waterloo, spreading into neighbourhoods and blocking off streets.
In 2025, gatherings still pushed on, even though a court injunction from the Ontario Superior Court was issued throughout the city, with WRPS saying 17 individuals were arrested and over 250 charges were laid from March 15 to 17.
According to the City of Waterloo, there were 129 calls for noise, nuisance, and lot maintenance-related complaints during that time.
At the time, the city said, “The injunction was a tool we hoped would discourage the dangerous, unsanctioned street gatherings, and we are thankful there were no significant injuries.”
It’s unclear if a similar court injunction will be put in effect this year. The city said it would not reveal its plans or details ahead of St. Patrick’s Day.
Already, the City of Waterloo has tightened nuisance bylaws as well, with two main provisions formally preventing gatherings from blocking off highways and pedestrian areas, as well as requiring individuals to leave areas when directed by police or enforcement officers.
The provisions, while familiar, were enacted to allow bylaw officers to take a proactive approach, rather than having to wait for them to form, as in years past.
“We encourage those who choose to celebrate to do so safely and respectfully and remind the community that there will be an increased police presence in the University District and Uptown Waterloo on St. Patrick’s Day and throughout the weekend leading up to it.”
St. Patrick’s Day is coming up on Tuesday, March 17.
