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85 BRIDGEPORT RD. E. WATERLOO (Across from the Bridgeport Rd. Plaza) Since 1971 519-893-8118 MON., TUES., WED. 10 AM - 6 PM THURS., FRI. 10 AM - 8 PM SATURDAY 9 AM - 5 PM SUNDAY 12 PM - 4 PM Furniture & Mattresses Since 1971 ONDISCONTINUED MERCHANDISE AND SELECTED DISPLAY MODELS 60%UPTOSAVE MIDwINTER CLEAN SwEEP EVENT March 13 - March 18 Fresh Ground Turkey Reg. $4.99 lb.$3.99 lb. Store Made deli Sliced TexaS Jalapeno or HaM & Bacon loaF Reg. $5.99 lb.$4.99 lb. Store Made precooked okToBerFeST or BraTwurST SauSaGeS Reg. $3.99 lb.$3.49 lb. Store Made SMoked pork HockS Reg. $2.69 lb.$2.39 lb. laMB SHankS Reg. $6.99 lb.$5.99 lb. caBBaGe rollS Reg. $5.29 lb.$4.89 lb. Tray oF 16 Reg. $4.99 lb.$4.49 lb. Store Made STeMMler'S HeadcHeeSe Reg. $3.29 lb.$2.99 lb. Fresh cuT STewinG BeeF Reg. $5.99 lb.$5.49 lb. Store Made deli Sliced corned BeeF Reg. $8.99 lb.$7.99 lb. piG TailS Reg. $3.29 lb.$2.79 lb. Thursday, March 16, 2017 • WATERLOO CHRONICLE • 5 Police and community gear up for St. Patrick's Day celebrations By Samantha Beattie Chronicle Staff Celebrating St. Patrick's Day is fine. Breaking the law and acting disre- spectfully is not. That's the message law enforcement, universities, the city and other communi- ty agencies are spreading as March 17 approaches. "Overall, the message of being safe and respectful is resonating with people," said Shayne Turner, City of Water- loo's municipal enforcement director. Depending on the weath- er, St. Patrick's Day draws anywhere between 10,000 to 12,000 to Ezra Street, said Insp. Craig Ambrose of the Waterloo Regional Police Service. That's not includ- ing people going to parties elsewhere. "Celebrating has to be within the law," said Ambrose. "The law applies all the time, firm and fair enforcement. It's a matter of respecting the community and your neigh- bours who live here all year round." Last Thursday, about 14 teams fanned out across stu- dent neighbourhoods to share this message. In many cases, the door knocking campaign saw students talking to stu- dents. "Wilfrid Laurier Universi- ty students from all different clubs and teams are the ones delivering the message," said Ambrose. Police won't have a set d e p l o y m e n t o f o f f i c e r s because the number of people celebrating varies, but there will be enough police out to match the crowd. They'll be watching for inappropriate and unsafe behaviour such as drinking in public. Police are also asking those celebrating to not litter or create too much noise. The University of Waterloo is reminding students March 17 is still a school day. "We are encouraging stu- dents to do the things they're supposed to be doing -- going to class, working at co-op jobs -- and if they want to cel- ebrate, to do so responsibly," said Chris Read, associate stu- dent provost. Last year, the number of tickets police issued for open alcohol was down to 127 from 191 in 2015. In contrast, the number of kegs of beer and other alcohol seized almost tripled from five to 14 inci- dents. Police also laid 14 charges for public intoxication and 15 for underaged drink- ing. Six people were arrested -- two for criminal offences and four for liquor licence viola- tions. Paramedics responded to 13 calls, much lower than the 37 in 2015. Eight people were transported to hospital. The crowd began forming on Ezra Street just after 11 a.m. and was in full swing by 1:30 p.m. The street was cleared by 6 p.m. Officers were deployed to Ezra Street, as well as Hickory, Regina and Albert streets and Seagram Drive. This year, an all-ages cel- ebration, Paint the Square Green, is taking place at the public square in uptown from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. There will be a local Irish band, traditional dance, cul- tural crafts and welly toss competition. " I ' m r e a l l y p r o u d o f our sanctioned commu- nity event," said Mayor Dave Jaworsky.