Thousands of party-goers took to Ezra Avenue in Waterloo to celebrate St. Patrick's Day on Sunday. CBC Kitchener-Waterloo was there to capture the scene as the unsanctioned party grew throughout the afternoon. Waterloo Regional Police had an increased presence in the area due to the expected crowds. Earlier in the morning, barricades were set up at Bricker Avenue and Clayfield Avenue. Some students also started to gather on porches and in front yards, dressed in green. Waterloo Regional Police set up barriers and began patrolling the area around Ezra Avenue Sunday morning. Const. Ashley Dietrich said police have had to adopt a "stricter approach" as the unsanctioned St. Patrick's party has grown over the years. (Joe Pavia/CBC) The landlord of one student house on Ezra Avenue set up a fence along the property. "I’m guessing it’s because the landlord wants to keep as many people who don’t live here out," student Stefano Sestito said. "So just probably avoid destruction of property or whatnot, so stuff doesn’t become too rowdy." (Joe Pavia/CBC) Mandy Dekoning (left) and Shantelle Matos are members of a community outreach team with Slate Church in Waterloo. They brought 13,000 water bottles and 10,000 Timbits to hand out to students gathering on Ezra Avenue for St. Patrick's Day. (Joe Pavia/CBC) As the crowd grew, police shut down Ezra Avenue and Bricker Avenue due to concerns for public safety. The crowd was estimated to be as large as or even larger than in 2018, which saw more than 20,000 people gather on Ezra Avenue. Police planned to maintain a presence in the area throughout the night and into the early morning, to manage the crowd, ensure public safety and enforce any laws. A final tally of calls for service, fines and charges is expected in the coming days.<doc-sep>First responders in Waterloo, Ont., say there have been multiple injuries and reports of rocks and bottles being thrown at an unsanctioned St. Patrick’s Day street party near Wilfrid Laurier University. Waterloo Regional Police Service Const. Ashley Deitrich told reporters around 3 p.m. that the injuries at the party centred around Ezra Avenue were mainly related to slips and falls. Among those injured was a police officer who was transported to hospital. Deitrich said she wasn’t sure how badly he was hurt. Region of Waterloo Paramedic Service Deputy Chief Kevin Patendra said that paramedics had received 41 calls and transported 18 people to hospital, mostly for alcohol and drug misuse, and slips, fractures and head injuries. Const. Deitrich also said that police were looking into reports of property damage and handing out tickets for underage drinking and public intoxication. “We have been very disappointed with some of the behaviours that have been displayed by some of the people in attendance,” she said. Deitrich said the crowd appeard to be similar in size or potentially larger than last St. Patrick’s Day’s, when an estimated 22,000 revelers filled the streets. Earlier, Waterloo Police Chief Bryan Larkin told CTV Kitchener that police were preparing for 30,000 people. He said they had brought in backup from nearby Peel Region and have “a plan in place that will target out-of-towners.” Police won’t hesitate to lay charges, he said. In London, Ont., police told CTV London that they had responded to several house parties in the early afternoon and one of them was shut down by fire officials. London Police Service said on Twitter that a male had been transported to hospital with unknown injuries after falling from a residence’s roof. Emergency crews just left an address on Wharncliffe Rd N after a male fell from the roof of a residence. Male transported to hospital by EMS - unknown injuries. #ldnont #dontinviteus2urparty pic.twitter.com/cVSYnuuAsT — London Police ON (@lpsmediaoffice) March 17, 2019 London has experienced riots on St. Patrick’s Day in the past. In 2012, a crowd of roughly 1,000 people started fires and threw bricks and bottles at emergency responders near Fanshawe College. There was also a heavy police presence on Sunday in the nation’s capital, but police told CTV Ottawa early on Sunday afternoon that there had not yet been any reports of vandalism or overdoses. Consuming alcohol openly on side walk is an offence. Officers are enforcing the liquor licence act with primary focus being public safety. Police presence has been a deterent to disorderly behaviour. Thanks to external partners and officers working to ensure a safe celebration. pic.twitter.com/LQ9YQP0riU — Dave Zackrias (@DaveZackrias) March 17, 2019<doc-sep>Eighteen people have been taken to hospital as thousands of people celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in Waterloo at an unsanctioned street party. Some parties started the festivities on Ezra Avenue as early as 8 a.m. Sunday morning. “It’s party street. You know, the cops may be here but it doesn’t stop us from partying,” one party-goer told 570 NEWS. “The cops become my best friend on this day.” Police say this is one of their largest operational events of the year. 570NEWS reports that shortly after 11 a.m., a few different people were charged for carrying an open canister of alcohol. That charge carries a fine of $125. STATUS REPORT: Even more people filtering in on #EzraAve, and parties are going along the side streets as well. About 30K people anticipated, inching closer to that at the moment. pic.twitter.com/E3HgOygGOs — Mark Pare (@MarkLPare) March 17, 2019 According to police, there have been several incidents of rocks and bottles being thrown and numerous people injured by falling. Kevin Petendra, Deputy Chief of Waterloo Paramedic Services, says as of 3 p.m. they have responded to over 40 calls from the area. 18 people have been transported to hospital. He is advising people to plan ahead if they are heading to the area. “We encourage those attending the event to carry identification in the case of medical emergency, stick together, look after one another, don’t leave anyone behind, and arrive home safely.” These pictures were taken about 30 minutes apart. Just a glimpse into how much foot traffic has escalated on #EzraAve pic.twitter.com/g1khbY4aMR — Mark Pare (@MarkLPare) March 17, 2019 There are 30,000 people expected on Ezra Avenue Sunday. A task force has been started by Waterloo Mayor Dave Jaworsky and Waterloo Regional Police Chief Bryan Larkin to address unsanctioned street parties. Shane Turner, Director of Municipal Enforcement Services with the City of Waterloo, says that is a long-term goal though. “Our focus today and on days like Homecoming is our operational plan to ensure community safety. The longer term plans around trying to refocus these crowds is left to the task force.” Police are warning the public of large crowds in the area and to approach with caution. They have also closed Bricker Avenue at King Street due to the gathering. Common occurrences police expect to see include charges surrounding public nuisance, public urination, noise and unsanctioned roof top parties. Waterloo Fire said at a 3 p.m. news conference that they have responded to 18 calls from the area. Most of these were in relation to elevators getting stuck due to overcapacity. This is the first St. Patrick’s Day since recreational marijuana became legalized. One party-goer tells 570 NEWS she is capitalizing on this change. “I didn’t even bring alcohol because I know open alcohol isn’t legal in the street, but I can have my joint anywhere that I can smoke tobacco so I’m doing legal things on Ezra today!” Police laid approximately 700 charges at last year’s gathering on Ezra Avenue. With files from Phi Doan and Mark Pare<doc-sep>Send this page to someone via email The annual unsanctioned St. Patrick’s Day party in Waterloo continues to cause major issues for first responders. As usual, police were forced to close Ezra Avenue, but this year’s crowd grew so large that police also closed Bricker Avenue on Sunday. “Our priority today is public safety and crowd management,” Waterloo Regional Police Const. Ashley Dietrich said. “We were forced to close down Ezra Avenue at around noon due to some concerns about crowd management. “After that, we were forced to close down Bricker Avenue as well to keep the crowds contained.” READ MORE: Expect as many as 30,000 Waterloo St. Patrick’s Day revellers on Sunday — police chief By 6 p.m., things had settled down and Ezra Avenue was being reopened and cleaned up. Story continues below advertisement Ezra Street in Waterloo is now open and being cleaned. Our #StPatricksDay patrols and enforcement will continue all evening. Ride programs will be in effect. Be safe, smart and respectful. pic.twitter.com/a33af48cJ1 — Mark Crowell (@MCrowell_ExO) March 17, 2019 There were some issues reported by police at this year’s festivities. Ezra Ave. has been closed due to large crowds. We continue to encourage those celebrating #StPatricksDay to do so at a residence or in a licensed establishment – not on the street. Several fines being issued for a variety of offences. Please be smart, safe & respectful. pic.twitter.com/4SbqbsasyS — Waterloo Regional Police (@WRPSToday) March 17, 2019 A year ago, it was estimated that 22,000 people were in attendance at the annual party. This year, at least one official estimated that the crowd had surpassed that number. On Thursday, Waterloo Regional Police Chief Bryan Larkin said officers were expecting crowds of as many as 30,000 at this year’s event. As of 3 p.m., crowds were at least as big as a year earlier, Dietrich estimated. Kevin Petendra, deputy chief with the Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services, said that his staff were very busy with this year’s festivities. At the 2018 St. Paddy’s Day party, there were 69 calls for paramedics throughout the day. As of 3 p.m. Sunday, paramedics had received 41 calls and transported 18 to hospital. Amid the intoxicated masses, there are several people giving out water and picking up trash. pic.twitter.com/V7gvCLLehu — Nick Westoll (@NWestoll) March 17, 2019 “I will say that the crowd size is significant,” Petendra said. “It’s overwhelming our services. It’s delaying our response to our patients.” A majority of the calls paramedics had answered mid-afternoon were related to alcohol and drug issues, but there were also calls for falls, fractures and head injuries, according to Petendra. Story continues below advertisement One of those calls was for a Waterloo Regional Police officer who had slipped and fallen on the ice. Dietrich was unable to provide an update as to the status of his injury on Sunday afternoon. As of 3 p.m. Sunday, it was also unclear how many charges police had laid or if anyone had been arrested in relation to the unsanctioned festivities. PICTURES: Thousands are partaking in St. Patrick’s Day parties on and near Ezra Avenue (just outside of @Laurier) in #Waterloo. pic.twitter.com/iUjFszqHCW — Nick Westoll (@NWestoll) March 17, 2019 Police say that there were several reports of unruly behaviour at the party. “It’s disappointing to see some of the disrespectful behaviour being displayed by some of those people attending,” Waterloo police spokesperson Cherri Greeno told Global News. “A lot of beer bottles are being thrown, as well as rocks. “In large crowds such as this, it is a serious safety concern. We continue to encourage people to celebrate in a licensed establishment and not on the street. This is an unsanctioned and unsafe event.” “We have also received multiple reports of people falling and slipping, hitting their heads and receiving other injuries,” Greeno said. “Other people have been observed climbing trees and hanging out windows of highrise buildings. “There is a great concern for the safety of those attending these unlawful events.” Ryan Schubert, deputy chief with Waterloo Fire Rescue, said that his service had also answered 18 calls in the area as of 3 p.m. Story continues below advertisement “Many of those calls are related to elevator entrapment alarm ringings,” he said. “The elevator entrapment is related to human behaviour — over-occupancy or personnel jumping in the elevators as well.”<doc-sep>
Thousands of students gathered on Ezra Avenue in Waterloo for an unsanctioned St. Patrick's Day party on Sunday. Waterloo Regional Police closed the street, as well as nearby Bricker Avenue, to contain the growing crowds. In an update to media Sunday afternoon, Const. Ashley Dietrich said police were "very disappointed" with some of the behaviour of people in attendance. "We've responded to a number of reports of people damaging property, throwing bottles at officers and at people within the crowds, and this is cause for concern," Dietrich said. One officer was also injured due to a fall and was taken to hospital to be assessed, she added. Police received a number of calls relating to underage drinking, open alcohol, public intoxication and damage to property. Dietrich said public safety and crowd management were the top priority throughout the day. Ezra Ave. has been closed due to large crowds.We continue to encourage those celebrating #StPatricksDay to do so at a residence or in a licensed establishment - not on the street.Several fines being issued for a variety of offences. Please be smart, safe & respectful. pic.twitter.com/4SbqbsasyS —@WRPSToday Kevin Petendra, deputy chief of Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services, said there were 41 calls for service and 18 people were transported to hospital as of Sunday afternoon, with more expected later in the day. The majority of those calls were related to alcohol and drug misuse, as well as injuries from falls and fractures. Petendra said the crowd size caused delayed response times and was "overwhelming" for both patients and paramedics. Kevin Petendra, deputy chief of Region of Waterloo Paramedic Services, said the service has been overwhelmed by the crowd size on Ezra Avenue. (Joe Pavia/CBC) In a tweet, university officials said, "Laurier actively discourages unsanctioned street gatherings." Students that violate any laws or university policies could face sanctions under the school's code of conduct. David McMurray, the vice president of student affairs at the university, said Laurier is working closely with a city task force on a long term strategy to deal with large unsanctioned parties in the future. "This is a new task force that the mayor's office has implemented and there's a lot of optimism that alternatives can be suggested, but I think that people are also realistic at the same time, given the popularity of unsanctioned street gathering that we're seeing from outside the community," McMurray said. WRPS said the total number of fines, charges and calls for service should be released early in the week. The crowd is estimated to be as large as, or even larger than in previous years. Last year over 22,000 attended the party. Police laid 619 charges and 52 people were hospitalized.