The Waterloo Regional Police Service used a tactical officer as a sniper during an unsanctioned St. Patrick’s Day street party on March 14, 2026, in Waterloo, Ontario. This decision was part of a security plan to manage the large crowd that gathered in the city university district.
Mayor Dorothy McCabe said she was shocked to find out about the sniper through social media after the event had already started. She noted that she was not told about any specific threats or weapons that would require that kind of police response before the festivities began.
Police Chief Mark Crowell defended the move, saying it is a regular practice for major events to prevent emergencies. While about 7,500 people attended the party, officers laid 218 charges, primarily for liquor and driving offences, but they found no weapons and reported no serious injuries.
Some people who attended the party said seeing the officer on a balcony was frightening. One student from Australia said the sight felt more like a threat than a way to keep people safe, while experts noted the officer was placed there clearly to discourage any potential trouble.
Because of how the local government is set up, the police chief reports to a police board rather than the mayor, which is why city leaders were not part of the tactical planning. Ian McLean, the head of the police board, said the service must be ready with all its tools when thousands of people gather in an unplanned environment.
