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Not the year for St. Patrick's Day partying, says Guelph's Mayor

Guelph Police will have a large complement of officers on duty Tuesday in response to possible unsanctioned parties
St Patrick's Day Beer Pint-1
Stock image.

The Guelph Police Service isn’t taking any chances that unsanctioned parties aren’t being planned by university students in the city for St. Patrick’s Day Tuesday.

Const. Kyle Grant said the same number officers will be on the street Tuesday as there would have been even if cautions against large gatherings were not in place in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are working on the assumption it’s going to be as busy as it has been on days like Homecoming, St. Patricks Day and New Years Day in years past and we will be staffed accordingly,” said Grant by phone Monday.

Grant said he isn’t sure how busy it’s going to be, but Guelph police isn’t taking any chances.

“It will be a significant increase over what you would see on a daily basis,” said Grant of the number of officers expected on the street Tuesday.

Mayor Cam Guthrie said he has one simple piece of advice for students planning on partying on Tuesday — don’t.

“Large gatherings — whether they be at homes or in the streets or even at private bars downtown — it’s just unfortunately not the year to do it,” said Guthrie. "Find another way to celebrate."

Both Grant and Guthrie said the City of Guelph is taking direction from Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health in terms of reducing possible public exposure to COVID-19. One suggestion is to avoid large gatherings.

“There are very smart people in charge at Public Health and they are using science and best practices to stop the spreading of the COVID-19,” said Guthrie. “The easiest way is not through medicine, it’s through being not around large groups of people, self-isolating and giving lots of distance between people — and parties are the exact opposite of that.”

Guthrie said everybody needs to work together to reduce the chance of exposure.

“It’s not the time to put anyone at risk,” he said.

Grant said Guelph Police has also been stepping up its training efforts to help officers stay safe in the face of the pandemic.

“We are definitely talking about it and there have been several memos that have been circulated out to Guelph Police Service, educating our members on best practices on how to stay safe. Obviously the health and safety of our members is a top priority in our organization,” said Grant.

He added: “policing is an essential service and even with everything going on, police will be working around the clock to help keep people safe.”


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Kenneth Armstrong

About the Author: Kenneth Armstrong

Kenneth Armstrong is a news reporter and photojournalist who regularly covers municipal government, business and politics and photographs events, sports and features.
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