Homecoming festivities in Waterloo took on a different appearance this year as law enforcement reported a lack of major gatherings and issued a comparable number of citations compared to the previous year.
Supervisor Tanya Klingenberg, in charge of the emergency services and public safety division of the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS), stated that authorities filed 104 charges this year in relation to homecoming activities, a slight increase from the 101 charges in 2024.
“It is worth noting that this year witnessed the absence of large street assemblies. This represents a notable change, largely attributed to the proactive presence and enforcement efforts of WRPS, with substantial backing from the OPP and the City of Waterloo by-law enforcement,” Klingenberg mentioned in a statement shared with CBC News via email on Wednesday.
Back in 2018, over 14,000 individuals congregated on Ezra Avenue to commemorate homecoming. Since then, collaborative efforts among the city, law enforcement, and educational institutions have been underway to suppress unofficial gatherings, such as the installation of barriers along Ezra Avenue to prevent overcrowding on the street and the implementation of special noise regulations by the city council for the eventful weekend.
On the recent release of figures for the annual Safe Semester enforcement, focusing on the university vicinity in Waterloo during the autumn season, a total of 760 charges were filed throughout the Safe Semester operation period from August 28 to September 26 this year.
Among the issued charges and citations:
- 334 were related to the Highway Traffic Act.
- 221 were violations of the Criminal Code.
- 136 were under the Liquor Licence and Control Act.
- 26 fell under the Trespass to Property Act.
- 16 pertained to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
- Five constituted bylaw transgressions.
- 22 were categorized as miscellaneous charges.
During the homecoming-related events occurring from September 26 to September 28, an additional 104 charges were brought forward by the police:
- 60 were offenses under the Highway Traffic Act.
- 31 were breaches of the Liquor Licence Control Act.
- Four were violations of the Criminal Code.
“Even though Project Safe Semester has concluded, the Waterloo Regional Police will persist in proactive law enforcement within the university district and school zones to safeguard everyone’s well-being,” the police declared in the Safe Semester report.
Significant Gatherings but No Major Incidents in Guelph
Meanwhile, in Guelph, a sizable street revelry occurred last Saturday, attracting over 10,000 people at its peak, yet authorities in the city affirmed the absence of major disturbances.
Chancellors Way was shut down on Saturday, and as the crowd swelled, Edinburgh Road S. between Stone Road W. and Wilsonview Avenue also had to be closed “in consideration of the participants’ safety.” Some attendees also spilled into the parking lots of the Metro grocery store and Walmart.
Law enforcement issued more than 80 citations under the Liquor Licence Act, and both police and bylaw enforcement handled over 80 noise complaints from Saturday morning to Sunday morning.
“In the most severe occurrence, three individuals received medical attention from emergency medical services after being exposed to an unknown harmful substance at around 1:40 a.m. on Sunday,” the police stated in a release. “The perpetrator fled on foot, and the incident is currently under investigation.”
Other police departments in Ontario also reported gatherings, but without any significant issues.
Authorities in London mentioned that thousands of students participated in unsanctioned homecoming street celebrations on September 27, with no significant problems arising.
Similarly, in Hamilton, crowds gathered near McMaster University on September 20, but the police reported no major incidents and no disruptive parties.
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