Waterloo Mayor Dorothy Mc Cabe says she was “surprised and shocked” to find out that a sniper from the Waterloo Regional Police Service was sent in response to an unsanctioned street party during St. Patrick’s Day weekend in the university area of the city.
Waterloo police confirmed to The Canadian Press that a photo and video showing a sniper watching over the St. Patrick’s Day crowd on Saturday featured an actual officer from their department.
Mc Cabe mentioned that she has asked for a meeting with police Chief Mark Crowell to understand why officers thought it was necessary to deploy a sniper for the street party.
She added that she wasn’t made aware of any worries about weapons, extreme violence, or other issues that would justify having a sniper present at the unapproved St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
The mayor noted that students have organized street parties for St. Patrick’s Day for around 15 years, and the city has taken various steps to control these events due to their disruptive nature for local residents and the strain they put on public services.
Waterloo police did not provide answers to The Canadian Press regarding the decision to deploy a sniper at this event but stated that officers collaborate closely with emergency services and community partners, including student unions from nearby universities and colleges, for coordinated responses during St. Patrick’s Day festivities.
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