Waterloo police shut down park after fireworks shot at children, police on long weekend

There’s been more fireworks trouble in Kitchener’s Victoria Park over a long weekend.

Waterloo Regional Police shut down the park once again due to reports of fireworks shot at crowds of people, including officers and children.

Police say in one case, a firework was set off under a baby stroller, reportedly leading to a large group fight. They say the baby was not physically injured.

Oleoresin Capsicum spray had to be used to disperse the crowd.

The calls to police came in around 8:50 p.m., with reports of a, “large group of youth who had gathered in Victoria Park and were setting off fireworks into crowds of people.”

As far as charges are concerned, a 17-year-old male has been charged with assaulting a police officer.

Numerous charges for drinking alcohol in a public place were also laid.

It wasn’t just fireworks calls Regional Police were dealing with Monday night. Officers say there were also reports of an armed robbery, with a handgun.

They are also looking into what they believe to be a fake call, that indicated a mass shooting would take place at Victoria Park. Again that is believed to be a swatting call at this point.

Kitchener Mayor Berry Vrbanovic tells CityNews 570, he will be meeting with City Staff and WRPS Tuesday.

“Thousands of people of all ages in Downtown Kitchener and hundreds in Victoria Park celebrated Canada Day and all the things that make Canada great, without incident. I was one of them. Let’s not lose sight of the awesomeness experienced by many throughout … unfortunately a group of young people, later in the evening, chose to break the law and behave illegally, putting both people and property in danger.”

“WRPS continue their investigation today about those incidents both here and in neighbouring communities,” adds Vrbanovic.

“I want to thank Waterloo Regional Police members and City of Kitchener Bylaw Enforcement and Corporate security staff, who were deployed throughout the day yesterday, and who also managed the disappointing situation that occurred yesterday (Monday) evening.”

The closure echoes the Victoria Day chaos, which saw numerous people and buildings shot at with fireworks.

In that case, a 14-year-old was charged with assault and possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose.

Leading up to the Canada Day Long Weekend, City of Kitchener Bylaw had said they were teaming up with WRPS, hoping to avoid another dangerous situation.

Director of Bylaw Enforcement for the City of Kitchener, Gloria MacNeil, told CityNews 570 they would be “adding additional officers on for the entire weekend, similar to what we did for May 2-4, just to have a bigger proactive presence in the city.”

Victoria Park was reopened Tuesday morning.

Meantime, there were also reports of fireworks being shot towards parkgoers near Waterloo park.

Waterloo Councillor Julie Wright says she has followed up with police, after posting on social media she was shot in the face with firework while leaving the Monday night drone show.

CityNews 570 has reached out to Waterloo Regional Police for more information.