Homecoming, St. Patrick's Day cost WRPS $465K in 2019

Police in Waterloo region spent $465,000 to plan for and police the Wilfrid Laurier University Homecoming and St. Patrick's Day street parties this year, a new report shows.

St. Patrick's Day accounted for most of that cost, but homecoming 2019 was also pricey.The fall eventracked up a bill of $180,000, according to the report that went before the police services board Wednesday.

"What concerns me is this is a big number now where will be we three years from now?" said police board vice chair Phil Huck at themeeting, where the police budget was a focus of conversation.

Overtime expenses during this year's homecoming partycost $85,000 and accounted for the bulk of the bill.

Other expenses included:

• Planning and analysis: $40,500.
• On-duty wages: $28,200.
• Assistance from provincial police and Peel regional police: $24,000.
• Logistics: $1,140.

Police Chief Bryan Larkin said he'd rather see the street party money go toward housing and reducing poverty, but said it's a necessary expense right now.

"The reality is that my responsibility is public safety," Larkin said.