Dave Lowes and Sgt. John Loughry

We will discuss the unique and important partnership between the municipal event planner and the local police. We will cover topics like hostile vehicle mitigation, road closures, street festivals, "target events", alcohol at events, crowd safety, etc. We will focus on York Pride Festival and Parade along with a couple unique street festivals hosted in Newmarket.

Outcomes:

Panel attendees will gain insight into managing both the challenges and opportunities associated with elevated safety standards, including how to approach increasing budgets, supporting third-party organizers who rely on municipal resources, and leveraging local police as trusted advisors to help inform and influence evolving policies and procedures. Dave’s approach demonstrates how thoughtful collaboration can strengthen safety outcomes without compromising the energy, accessibility, and connection that make community events successful.

BIO:

Dave Lowes is a seasoned municipal leader specializing in event planning, community engagement, and strategic partnerships. As Supervisor of Events for the Town of Newmarket, he leads the delivery of an award-winning portfolio of community events that position Newmarket as a vibrant and welcoming destination.

With extensive experience in operational planning and stakeholder coordination, Dave works closely with local police, emergency services, internal municipal teams, third-party event organizers, and business communities to deliver safe, well-managed, and engaging events. He brings a practical perspective on navigating the growing expectations around event safety—balancing enhanced security measures with cost considerations, community impact, and the overall guest experience.

We will discuss the unique and important partnership between the municipal event planner and the local police. We will cover topics like hostile vehicle mitigation, road closures, street festivals, "target events", alcohol at events, crowd safety, etc. We will focus on York Pride Festival and Parade along with a couple unique street festivals hosted in Newmarket.

Outcomes:

Panel attendees will gain insight into managing both the challenges and opportunities associated with elevated safety standards, including how to approach increasing budgets, supporting third-party organizers who rely on municipal resources, and leveraging local police as trusted advisors to help inform and influence evolving policies and procedures. Dave’s approach demonstrates how thoughtful collaboration can strengthen safety outcomes without compromising the energy, accessibility, and connection that make community events successful.

BIO:

Sergeant John Loughry #982 is a 27-year veteran of the York Regional Police with more than 17 years of supervisory experience. He currently serves as the On-Ground Supervisor with the One District Community Oriented Response Unit, where he leads planning and operational coordination for municipal events across York Regional Police 1 District which serves Newmarket, Aurora, East Gwilimbury And King . Sgt. Loughry has overseen policing operations for Pride celebrations, Santa Claus parades, Canada Day festivals, Terry Fox Runs, and other high-profile community gatherings, with a strong focus on inter-agency collaboration, hostile-vehicle mitigation, public safety planning, and community trust-building. He brings a practical, frontline perspective on how police services and municipalities work together to deliver safe, inclusive, and resilient public events.