Waterloo’s police chief says tactical officers, including snipers, may continue to be used at large events as needed, following their deployment during an unsanctioned St. Patrick’s Day street party in the city’s university district.

Waterloo Regional Police confirmed that an officer seen in circulating photos and video monitoring the crowd from an elevated position was part of its operations over the weekend.

The city of Waterloo, known as a student hub due to its affiliation with the University of Waterloo and Laurier, is home to some of the largest public gatherings in Ontario.

In previous years, the city has tried to host “sanctioned” gatherings for safety and better control but was not effective.

Director of corporate affairs for Waterloo police, Cherri Greeno, said the deployment was part of a broader safety plan developed for the gathering, which was expected to draw large crowds based on prior events.

“As with all operational deployments that involve large gatherings with mass casualty considerations, a comprehensive safety plan was developed that included members of our Public Order Unit and Emergency Response Team,” Greeno said in a statement.

Get breaking National news

Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won’t miss a trending story.

“Tactical officers were positioned in elevated locations to monitor the area and identify potential safety concerns that may not be visible to officers on the ground.” Greeno added.

Tactical officers were also positioned in elevated locations to allow them to monitor the entire area and identify potential safety concerns that may not be visible to officers on the ground.

Police also implemented other measures, including barriers to prevent vehicles from entering the area.

“The magnitude of unfortunate mass casualty events that have occurred across North America and around the world in recent decades have shaped emergency response strategies for all large gatherings,” Waterloo Regional Police Chief Mark Crowell said.

“In accordance with legislated standards for emergency response and public order deployment, our officers effectively managed a large unsanctioned gathering, upholding safety for all involved.”

Crowell indicated that similar tactics may be used again in the future, depending on the circumstances of the event.

Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe said she was initially unaware of the specific measures.

“I was surprised to learn that the Waterloo Regional Police preparations for the unsanctioned street gathering includes such extreme safety measures,” McCabe said in a statement.

While noting the city’s long-standing relationship with police, McCabe said oversight of the force falls outside her role.

“In our two-tiered municipal system, the chief does not report to me as mayor and I don’t sit on the police board,” she said.

McCabe added she has since spoken with Crowell and now has a better understanding of the plan, expressing confidence in police and emergency services to ensure public safety

The deployment comes as discussions around public safety and emergency preparedness continue more broadly, including increased focus on protective measures at large public gatherings.

&copy 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Both Regina and Saskatoon are planning festivities for St. Patrick’s day,with Haines Mile Pub celebrating the lucky day on Saturday with Regina’s O’Hanlon’s Irish Pub is staying true to Irish tradition and celebrating on Tuesday.

O’Hanlon’s plans to host eight performances on Tuesday, including bagpipers and dancers, as well as a change in menu to feature corned beef and cabbage and a 24-hour sous vide brisket. O’Hanlon’s will also be celebrating the pub’s 25th anniversary and will have merch to highlight the milestone.

Get breaking National news

Get breaking Canada news delivered to your inbox as it happens so you won’t miss a trending story.

Back in Saskatoon, the River City Irish Dancers performed two shows at the Haines Mile Pub celebration and bar staff served green drinks for all.

Sania Ali has more details in the video.

The disgraced ex-New Jersey mayor caught recklessly driving drunk with her 2-year-old son in the car on St. Patrick’s Day will not face jail time because of her “second chance.”

Lumberton Township Committeewoman Gina LaPlaca, who served as mayor last year, pleaded guilty to DUI and child endangerment charges on Tuesday and was sentenced to three years of supervision under an intervention program.

The 46-year-old Democrat will be required to take part in several court-ordered conditions, including attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and complying with New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency requirements, CBS News Philadelphia reported.

LaPlaca celebrated her acceptance into Burlington County’s Pre-Trial Intervention (PTI) Program after her arrest over her boozy drive on March 17, 2025.

“I have never felt more humbled than I do standing before my community today,” LaPlaca wrote on Facebook Tuesday.

“The weight of my actions is something I carry deeply. What I did was wrong. It was dangerous. It was inexcusable. I drove while intoxicated with my child in the car — a choice that could have caused irreversible harm. That reality is something I will live with, and learn from, for the rest of my life.”

LaPlaca would have to face her child endangerment charge if she violates the requirements. Her charges would be dismissed after a successful completion of the program.

LaPlaca shot at several news reports claiming she had been denied admission into the program and was facing possible jail time, despite New Jersey court records indicating a Jan. 20 decision that denied her acceptance.

“I have always stood firm in my belief that the outcome is more important than the narrative, and I could not be more grateful for this outcome,” she said.

“I am grateful that this matter has been legally resolved, and I do not take lightly the second chance the court has given me. I see it not as an escape from consequences, but as an opportunity — an opportunity to do better, to be better, and to prove through my actions that I am worthy of that grace,” she added.

LaPlaca claimed she had privately struggled with alcoholism for years until it was no longer private.

“Addiction does not excuse my behavior, but it does explain the work I must continue to do. I am fully committed to my recovery. That commitment begins with my family — especially my children — and extends to every part of my life,” she said.

Last March, the local politician was spotted by another driver driving her son home from daycare, swerving across a road and nearly striking a utility pole during her boozy excursion.

The cautious motorists shared footage of the reckless driver to the police, who tracked the car down to LaPlaca’s home, where they met her in the driveway at around 6 p.m.

Officers discovered the then-mayor’s young son strapped in the backseat and an open container of alcohol scattered in the car.

LaPlaca admitted to drinking and driving and performed a field sobriety test. During the investigation police found that LaPlaca had a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.30%, over three times the legal limit, according to CBS News Philadelphia.

The Lumberton Township is governed by a five-member panel of committeepeople who serve three-year terms.

During an annual meeting, the members vote for the mayor and deputy mayor, who serve in the position for one year each.

LaPlaca’s current term ends on Dec. 31, 2026.

An Ontario city has approved amendments to one of its bylaws, aimed at giving police and municipal enforcement officers greater authority to address disruptive gatherings ahead of St. Patrick’s Day.

City officials say the changes, approved Monday, are intended to support a more proactive response to large, unsanctioned street parties that have historically drawn crowds and created safety concerns.

The bylaw revisions focus on issues including blocked roadways and interference with pedestrian movement, cited as common problems during St. Patrick’s Day weekend and university homecoming events.

Get daily National news

Get the day’s top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

A staff report notes that a nuisance party provision introduced in 2023 has helped manage gatherings at private residences that spill onto sidewalks and streets.

Staff observed that individuals have at times deliberately obstructed sidewalks or remained on roadways to force street closures, actions the city stated can pose public safety risks.

Under the amendments, the bylaw now includes two standalone revisions: prohibiting the obstruction of highways and pedestrian areas when a nuisance is being created and requiring individuals to leave a roadway when directed by an officer for safety reasons.

The staff report states the updates will allow enforcement officers to have a more proactive, consistent and clear response to large gatherings.

The amendments reflect recommendations from the city’s Large Street Gathering Task Force, according to the staff report.

&copy 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.