Waterloo’s police chief mentioned that tactical officers, including snipers, might still be deployed at large events as necessary, following their presence during an unsanctioned St. Patrick’s Day street party in the city’s university area.
Waterloo Regional Police confirmed that an officer shown in photos and videos monitoring the crowd from a height was part of their operations over the weekend.
The city of Waterloo, recognized as a student hub due to its connection with the University of Waterloo and Laurier, hosts some of Ontario’s largest public gatherings.
In past years, the city has attempted to organize “sanctioned” gatherings for safety and better control but these efforts were not very successful.
Cherri Greeno, director of corporate affairs for Waterloo police, stated that the deployment was part of a larger safety plan designed for the event, which was expected to attract big crowds based on previous occasions.
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“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.
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“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 placed in high spots to allow them to oversee everything and spot any safety issues that might go unnoticed by those on foot.
The police also took other steps like setting up barriers to keep vehicles out of certain areas.
“The scale of unfortunate mass casualty events that have taken place across North America and around the world in recent decades have influenced emergency response strategies for all large gatherings,” Waterloo Regional Police Chief Mark Crowell said.
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“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 noted that similar strategies could be used again in future events depending on circumstances.
Waterloo Mayor Dorothy Mc Cabe mentioned she wasn’t initially aware of these specific measures being taken.
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“I was surprised to learn that the Waterloo Regional Police preparations for the unsanctioned street gathering includes such extreme safety measures,” Mc Cabe said in a statement.
While acknowledging the city’s long-standing relationship with police, Mc Cabe pointed out that oversight of law enforcement is outside her role as mayor.
“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.
Mc Cabe added she has since talked with Crowell and now understands more about their plan, expressing confidence in law enforcement and emergency services ensuring public safety
This deployment comes amid ongoing discussions about public safety and emergency preparedness more broadly, including increased attention on protective measures at large public events.
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