11-24-2018, 03:06 PM
(11-24-2018, 11:44 AM)jamincan Wrote: I don't know if there are events that get policing covered by the City or Region, but I know that for RunWaterloo and Cycle Waterloo events (most if not all of them), they have to pay to have police coverage, roads closed etc. These events are a positive part of our regional culture and should be encouraged.
I honestly have no opposition to the Ezra Street parties, but it seems ridiculous to me that we should just shrug our shoulders and effectively give students a $500K grant to go drink on the street several times a year. This is not how public money should be spent.
I know that every event in Kitchener pays for private security, their own security (by this, I mean City of Kitchener employee's that work in either the by-law division or corporate security, plus custodial staff), and they top it off with WRPS. The rest of the region doesn't contribute. It depends who's all involved with the event for who gets paid what by who. For Kitchener, Special Events (part of Community Services Department) takes care of almost all of the costing, so basically the City of Kitchener charges the City of Kitchener (CSD). Other event organizers also contribute (such as for the Bluesfest, for example) to the costs. For example, for the Rib and Beer show, the vendors are charged for parking in the park, that money goes to the city through licensing for example, and money goes to the event organizer, and that money pays for those needed services.
I don't think there should be any "grants", so to speak, though I do believe that the City of Waterloo and Laurier should pony up any costs associated with this gathering, whatever they are, and someone recoup the costs from the users.
Really no point arguing over the underage drinking, the costs to EMS, etc. The way I see it now, this party will continue unsanctioned until tragedy occurs.