Pubdate: Thu, 06 Jul 2017
Source: Record, The (Kitchener, CN ON)
Copyright: 2017 Metroland Media Group Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Liz Monteiro
Page: B1

BOARD EXPRESSES CONCERN OVER EVER AFTER ISSUES

KITCHENER - The chair of the Waterloo Regional Police Services Board
says he hopes the annual Ever After Music Festival doesn't get out of
control and cause havoc for officers trying to police it.

At a police services board meeting Wednesday, members were told that
police responded to 342 calls for service at the music festival that
was held at Bingemans from June 2 to 4.

Nearly half of the calls were related to drugs, while others were for
noise complaints, public intoxication, medical calls with
transportation to a local hospital, and other liquor offences.

"How big can it get?" asked board chair Tom Galloway. "Can it get
bigger than we can reasonably manage it?"

Deputy Chief Kevin Chalk said the festival was extremely busy with
"significant activity" but there were no major incidents.

"These events are challenging to manage," he said.

Unlike other public events that have potential for chaos, such as the
annual St. Patrick's Day party on Ezra Avenue, the music festival is
organized by a private company that meets licensing regulations and
other permits needed to hold the event, Chalk said.

The third annual electronic music event attracted young fans aged 16
to 25, with 8,000 people attending Friday night and 15,000 on both
Saturday and Sunday.

Organizers had hoped for 25,000 patrons, and that could be worrisome,
Galloway said.

"What if it was three times what they got, what concerns do we have or
should we have?" he said.

Chalk said with a licensed event there are more regulations.

"It is far more controlled but it does have its challenges," he
said.

Police Chief Bryan Larkin said there was a significant police
operational plan for the event, involving three inspectors and a staff
sergeant, as well as 35 paid-duty officers for Saturday and Sunday
along with 18 auxiliary unit members.

Although only nine charges were laid at the festival, the presence of
illicit drugs was substantial, Larkin said. "It's a public health
concern," he said.

An "amnesty box" at the front gates allowed concert goers to drop off
drugs without penalty.

"The amnesty box was overflowing," said Larkin.

The festival also put pressure on local paramedics. Twenty-four people
were transported to hospital for extreme drug and alcohol
intoxication. There were also issues of dehydration.

Individuals transported to an emergency department for care would have
been unconscious or unable to stand or walk.

Last year, 12 festival goers were transported to hospital.

The company that organized the festivals paid for the paramedics as
well as a first aid company for backup.
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MAP posted-by: Matt