K-W Oktoberfest arrests hit all-time low in 2014
K-W Oktoberfest revellers raised beer steins, sang "Ein Prosit" and snacked on schnitzel, but didn't get into much trouble with the law last year, according to a new police report.
Waterloo Regional Police said total arrests during K-W Oktoberfest and the number of people taken to the force's central lock-up in 2014 were both at the lowest levels since the force began keeping records.
In total there were 38 arrests, a 13.6 per cent drop from 2013. Of those 38, 12 arrests were taken to what police refer to as "central lock-up" but most of us know as the drunk tank.
Just nine criminal charges were laid during the festival including:
- Two charges of Impaired/Over 80 laid from arrests at the Schwaben Club
- Two charges of internal theft of liquor tickets at the Kitchener Auditorium
- Five charges of assault, most of which police say involved a patron assaulting a security guard.
The report also said charges related to the Liquor Licence Act decreased 52 per cent from 2013 to 41 charges in 2014, while charges related to the Public Nuisance Bylaws decreased by 42 per cent, with only 18 charges in 2014.