Dear Neighbours,
I was saddened by yesterday’s shooting at College Street and Montrose. My sympathies go out to the families of those directly affected and the many who witnessed the incident. My thoughts are with all those impacted. I have posted information from our Community Crisis Response Program below. This lists resources for those affected, including witnesses and the staff of our local businesses. We must first support each other and ensure those impacted have access to the resources they need and we must continue our efforts to get rid of gun violence in our city.
My thanks to the Toronto Police Service and other emergency responders for their speedy response. There were hundreds of people in the area at the time of the shooting. Area residents have been asked to check their properties for any items that may have been discarded by the suspect and to not touch the items if they are located, but to call police immediately. If you or someone you know was there and left personal belongings behind, and if you have information on the incident, please contact Detective Sergeant Terry Browne at (416) 808-7403. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at (416) 222-TIPS (8477) or online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637). Police have provided a description of the suspect online here: http://www.torontopolice.on.ca/newsreleases/pdfs/23792.pdf.
Police believe that this was a targeted and isolated incident. Little Italy is a strong and vibrant community that people from across the GTA enjoy. Just this weekend we had thousands packing College Street enjoying the Taste of Little Italy, and today thousands continue to pack patios along College and enjoy Euro 2012 with friends and family. This targeted violent act will not intimidate us. Businesses and residents along College Street will continue to enjoy our safe and beautiful City.
Sincerely,
Mike Layton
City Councillor
Ward 19, Trinity-Spadina
Community Crisis Response Program
The Community Crisis Response Program (CCRP) works across Toronto providing support and resources to communities impacted by violent and traumatic incidents. The CCRP is activated when a violent incident occurs in any neighbourhood in Toronto, i.e., shooting or stabbing. It is a coordinated program of municipal services, police, community organizations, faith communities and residents to assist a neighbourhood’s response and recovery from traumatic incidents. http://www.toronto.ca/nan/about/crisisresponse.htm
CCRP Staff – Scott Mckean smckean2@toronto.ca – Phone: 416.526.0588
Toronto Police Services (EMERGENCY)…911
Toronto Police Services (Non-Emergency)…(416) 808–2222
Toronto Police Homicide Squad…(416) 808-7400
Scott McKean…(416) 526-0588
City of Toronto
Community Crisis Response Program (CCRP)
Toronto Public Health…(416) 338-7600
Community Crisis Support Team
Victim Services of Toronto…(416) 808-7066
This organization can help by referring you to organizations that can provide counselling. They aim to help victims of crime and sudden tragedies restore and enhance their quality of life while working to prevent further victimization
Province of Ontario…(416) 325-3265
Victim Witness Assistance Program
Crime Stoppers…(416) 222-TIPS (8477)
*Calls are not recorded and Crime Stoppers does not have call display, guaranteeing your identity remains anonymous. People providing information will be given a secret code number. You will never be asked to identify yourself or testify in court.
Distress Centre…416-408-HELP (4357)
Provides 24-hour telephone support, 365 days a day. Offer round the clock response to those experiencing emotional distress or in need of crisis intervention and suicide prevention. They also provide face to face support and counselling to people dealing with the effects of suicide and homicide.
Kids Help Phone Line…1 (800) 668-6868
When young people reach out for help, either by phone or online. Kids Help Phone is there for them with the immediate, caring, professional, anonymous help and hope they need and deserve. Kids Help Phone doesn’t trace calls or IP addresses, and they don’t use call display.
Gerstein Centre
crisis line, (416) 929-5200
referral line (416) 929-9897
The Gerstein Centre provides crisis intervention to adults, living in the City of Toronto. The Centre provides supportive counselling for immediate, crisis issues and referrals to other services for on-going, non-crisis issues. Our service is a community mental health service and is non-medical.
Shelter Support – Central Intake…1-877-338-3398
211…call 211 or visit www.211toronto.ca
Web-enable local data to create a fully searchable, bilingual point of access to over 60,000 community, social, health and related government programs and services in Ontario.
311…call 311 or visit www.toronto.ca/311/
Information of City Services – available 24/7
Toronto Police Service is asking that anyone with information is asked to contact Detective Sergeant Terry Browne at (416) 808-7403, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), online at www.222tips.com, text TOR and your message to CRIMES (274637), or Leave A Tip on Facebook.
