Waterloo sees crowd of 14,000 for unsanctioned homecoming party, police say
Wilfrid Laurier University’s on-campus police got more than 500 calls during homecoming on Saturday.
Police say more than 450 charges were laid, including 3 charges under criminal code
Wilfrid Laurier University's on-campus police got more than 500 calls during homecoming on Saturday.
WRPS said 12 people were arrested in total, after a crowd of 14,000 people gathered on Ezra Avenue. That's up from 9,000 people who took over Ezra Avenue in 2017.
Waterloo regional police say they laid 462 charges, including:
- 71 highway traffic act charges.
- 304 liquor license act charges.
- 3 criminal code charges.
- 18 by-law offences.
- 53 trespassing.
- 3 controlled substances act charges.
Grand River Hospital and St. Mary's General Hospital had about 40 visits related to homecoming, with about 36 calls to paramedics from the university area during homecoming.
- Over 22,000 people partied on Ezra Avenue on St. Patrick's day
- Police close Ezra Avenue as St. Patrick's Day party grows
Police said homecoming crowds continue to grow each year, and public safety is an increasing concern.