Newmarket has a new program to help parts of the community heal from local traumatic incidents.
The trauma incident response protocol, which has been underway since July, approached council today seeking more support for communications and space. The team works with York Regional Police and has been offering community support in response to violent incidents like shootings or stabbings.
Co-ordinator Dela Fotoohi said the aim is to bring the community together to reduce stress, promote safety and promote healing in the days following incidents. She said they have responded to incidents like a stabbing at a Newmarket Tim Hortons and shootings, such as the recent ones in Georgina.
“Our goal is not just to respond to the incident itself, but also to improve the overall safety and social environment in these areas,” she said, “creating safer and more supportive spaces for everyone.”
The program is part of York Region’s community safety and well-being plan to improve conditions in targeted areas historically less wealthy than others. In Newmarket, the plan has been focused on helping the Newmarket Heights neighbourhood and surrounding area for a couple of years.
The protocol cover incidents that involve violence and occur in public or shared spaces, not those that are more private, Fotoohi said. They work to respect affected individuals and families.
“We also use a trauma-informed approach, recognizing that the psychological impact of the incident is different for everyone,” she said. “Our efforts are community-oriented aiming to bring people together and promote collective healing.”
The response is activated when York Region and York Regional Police convene a meeting and decide it is appropriate to implement.
Fotoohi said the Town of Newmarket could help through media releases, communications supportr and providing spaces for the protocol when needed.
Councillor Trevor Morrison, whose ward includes Newmarket Heights, said it is an important program.
“I know that engagement at the Tim Hortons was really appreciated, I heard from a handful of residents about it,” Morrison said.
Newmarket Mayor John Taylor said the information sharing in the program is valuable. He added that the town can provide the requested support around communications.
“The trauma could be multiplied when there’s a vacuum, or when there isn’t accurate information and timely response and people’s panic and their concern can multiply,” he said, adding that having a trusted source for information like that “can help reduce trauma a lot as well.”
