As a Waterloo Regional Police Service presence remained in Waterloo’s university district on Tuesday, much of the discussion around the municipality has been about what transpired on Saturday — more accurately, what was seen looming from above.
There were thousands of students gathered on Marshall Street for the annual unsanctioned St. Patrick’s Day street party, which regularly draws a large police presence. As in past years, metal fencing was erected along Ezra Avenue and Marshall Street to try to contain the festivities. The City of Waterloo opted not to seek a Superior Court injunction this year, saying it did little to stop last year’s party.
Instead, the city opted to lean on its recently updated nuisance bylaws while also declaring a community safety event.
But none of those measures drew nearly the attention that a police sniper, spotted overseeing the street party, did.
Images blew up on social media, which led to police peppered with questions.
Police Chief Mark Crowell stopped by The Mike Farwell Show to clear the air of any misconceptions and to answer some of the questions.
“Really, this is a common place tactic that is deployed across Canada, across Ontario and throughout the world for large gatherings,” he said. “Very unfortunately, we have learned through the tragedies, you can think of many examples that have occurred of mass casualty events, vehicles into crowds, shootings that have occurred from high places and then other explosive devices into large crowds. These are the considerations that our operational teams learn from, and we incorporate that planning into our deployments,” he went on to say.
Crowell also said this wasn’t the first time a tactical officer has been deployed.
“I think it’s really important to relay that this is something that occurs quite frequently. It has occurred in our region before; it will occur in the future.”
The chief delved a little further into the role of the tactical officer.
“That tactical positioning is meant primarily for information gathering and information transfer. Should the worst occur where there is some kind of casualty incident or threat to a crowd that is gathered, then they are well positioned to make tactical decisions,” He added, “We really want people to understand that this is a protective capacity.”
Residents react
While the unsanctioned street party is a drain on both police and municipal resources, most people living in the region aren’t directly impacted.
It is mainly students living in the residential housing who make up most of the university district, who are impacted, and they’re pretty used to the disruption.
Teegan is a student living nearby. She said she understands that safety measures need to be taken.
“They have closed my street down, which is a little frustrating for the people that live on it, but I do suppose it does make the students a little bit safer in the area.”
But when it comes to the sniper, Teegan said that’s a different story.
“Honestly, that’s a little terrifying for me, I didn’t like that all.” But, she said, she understands the need for precautions. “They are trying to keep people safe and trying to stop the parties in general because it is a big ruckus in the area.”
Matthew wonders if the police took the best route.
“It was kinda nuts to see. But I’m pretty sure Waterloo put out a statement that it was like police. So I guess you know, trying to keep people safe but I don’t know if that was the best way to go about it.”