Waterloo bylaw officers get more power to crack down on street parties

City of Waterloo bylaw officers have been given more power to crack down on street parties including the infamous St. Patrick's Day festivities on Ezra Avenue.

The amendment applies to the Public Nuisance Bylaw, and "provide[s] city enforcement services staff with additional tools and resources to address safety and nuisance concerns that may arise from a number of situations, including large unsanctioned gatherings," said the City of Waterloo.

That includes giving bylaw officers the power to fine individuals for limiting the normal use of city sidewalks and roads and to charge fees associated with cleanup and having staff deal with unsanctioned events.

The Eza street party would fall under the umbrella of "unsanctioned gatherings" but the changes aren't exclusively about that event, said spokesman Tony Lavarone.

"It could happen on homecoming ... or not tied to a special event, it could be somebody has a big party that spills out we've got another thing in our toolkit that can help," he told CBC News.

15,000 people attended in 2017

Last week, Waterloo Regional Police confirmed it would be hiring support officersfrom Peel Regional Police to assist in public safety on St. Patrick's Day, in hopes of putting an end to the unsanctioned street party.

Last year, 15,000 people flooded Ezra Avenue and cost police$120,000, according to police Chief Bryan Larkin.

City council also amended its Property Standards Bylaw to include language around public safety concerns, and allow officers to use "emergency provisions" to fix significant any significant safety concerns.