Waterloo mayor surprised after police sniper deployed during street party

Waterloo police confirm a photo and video showing a person with a sniper rifle at a St. Patrick’s Day party Saturday was actually a police officer.

Waterloo Regional Police Service say tactical officers were positioned in elevated locations in the University District, as part of a “mass casualty” safety plan.

The plan was developed to spot potential threats not visible to officers on the ground.

Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe said she was not alerted to any weapons or extreme violence that would require a sniper, noting that student street parties have been happening for over 15 years, and the city has taken steps to manage them.

Similar to Hamilton’s University District Safety Initiative, the City of Waterloo declared a Community Safety Event and street parking ban to take effect between Saturday and Tuesday, in anticipation of any St. Patrick’s Day parties.

In 2025, police in the city said they arrested 17 people and laid more than 250 charges related to St. Patrick’s Day celebrations over several days that at one point involved what investigators believed was an attempt to take over a street.

Prior to last year’s festivities, the city obtained an injunction to allow police to detain and charge anyone involved in large unsanctioned parties.

McCabe said she requested a meeting with the police chief to ask why officers felt a sniper was necessary to respond to this year’s street party. Police said the mayor and chief have spoken.

With files from The Canadian Press.

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