Homecoming, St. Patrick's Day cost WRPS $465K in 2019
'My responsibility is public safety,' police chief says
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 event racked 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 the meeting, where the police budget was a focus of conversation.
Overtime expenses during this year's homecoming party cost $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.