A safe community committee has been established here after an inaugural meeting that attracted about 25 residents on Jan. 8.
Wellington County Ward 3 councillor Gary Williamson, who also is co-chairman of the county’s safe community committee, was chosen as chairman.
He will be joined by community activists Bob and Aletha McArthur who will sit as vice chairman and secretary respectively. Williams made a presentation on the procedures of forming a committee based on the process the county committee is following in its bid to become the first county in Canada to become part of the national Safe Communities Canada organization.
“This process is a crawl not a race,” Williamson told those attending the inaugural meeting at the New Growth Family Centre, referring to the establishment of the committee and its goals.
The meeting was attended by a diverse group representing, police, fire, ambulance, hospitals, students, business and politicians.
Williamson pointed to county efforts and the recent priority list that identifies some of the issues the county committee will focus on once it is formally established. Topping the list was falls, motor vehicle accidents and intentional self harm. The findings were based on information provided by the Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health unit, covering 2004 to 2009. The information contained statistics on fatalities, emergency responses and time spent in hospital.
In the falls category, the statistics show 60 fatalities resulted from falls during the period, as well as 14,869 emergency responses, with 1,821 needing hospitalization requiring 12,679 days spent in hospital.
Motor vehicle accidents resulted in 39 fatalities, 3,419 emergency responses, and 336 hospitalizations resulting in 2,212 days in hospital.
Intentional self harm resulted in 27 fatalities, 612 emergency responses, 248 hospitalizations and 663 days spent in hospital.
The self-harm figures alarmed resident Amos Martin who is part of a Mennonite accident prevention group.
The intent of safe community groups is to find ways to minimize the threat of accidents in the different categories that apply locally. Williamson said he would attempt to get more localized accident statistics so the group can eventually narrow down what issues it will prioritize in its work.
On the issue of liability insurance, Williamson said the local chapter will be covered through the county during the initial stages of establishing itself. Minimum tax free donations starting at $20 to the local group will also be handled through the county.
“Injuries are predictable and preventable,” he said of the efforts of safe community and COPS (community oriented policing) groups functioning in the county.
Williamson said the local chapter will function separate from similar groups and the county organization in its work.
It should also consider ways of making the public aware of its establishment, work and goals, he added.
The group decided it will meet on the third Thursday of the month, with its next meeting set for Feb. 21 at 7:30pm. The meetings will be held at the family centre at the corner of Elgin and Birmingham streets.
