ARTICLES

November is Family Violence Prevention month.  Throughout the month the Medicine Hat Police Service has been sharing information to raise awareness about resources and supports available to assist families in needs. 

The Safe Family Intervention Team is a partnership between the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society (MHWSS) and the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS).

In 2014, in response to a serious domestic violence incident that occurred in our community, the MHWSS and MHPS advocated for funding to build a team responsible for working strictly with domestic/family violence. As a result, the Safe Family Intervention team was created (SFIT). At first the team was comprised of one police officer and two outreach workers but has since expanded to a supervisor and four MHWSS staff members, who work with the MHPS officer.

The focus of SFIT is to provide early identification and assessment of families that may need family violence intervention. SFIT is committed to the reduction of repeat domestic violence related calls through education and safety planning. SFIT ensures that women, children, and men have access to services within the MHWSS and also provides the necessary resources, services and referrals for families to establish healthy violence free relationships.

SFIT works closely with other support agencies within the community such; Child and Family Services, Alberta Health Services, Probation, Victim Assistance, the Crown Prosecutor and Community Housing to ensure the families are provided with the services needed.

Anyone experiencing family violence can access these services. A police referral is not required.

To contact the SFIT team phone 403-458-2037 or visit https://mhps.ca/posts/post/366 for more information.

Three males have been charged with assault following an altercation in the downtown.

On Saturday, November 7, 2021, at approximately 11:00 PM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a report of a male who had received significant injuries and required medical assistance. Upon arrival a second male was also located with injuries related to the same incident. An investigation conducted by the Patrol Section, in conjunction with the Major Crimes Section, determined that a fight had broken out between three males in the 300 block of 6 Avenue SE. The fight escalated and several weapons were produced. Two of the males required medical treatment for their injuries. All three of the individuals were known to each other and this was not a random incident.

Resulting from the investigation charges have been laid against all three individuals.

Nathan Wiens, 26 years old, charged with assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon, possess weapon dangerous to the public and fail to comply with Probation Order

Wilson Thorn, 23 years old, charged with assault causing bodily harm, assault with a weapon and possess weapon dangerous to the public.

Brendon Webb, 29 years old, charged with assault causing bodily harm.

All three males have been released from custody and are scheduled to appear in court.

Media Contact:

Sgt. Todd Hodgins
Major Crimes Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

On November 17^th, members of the Regional Property Crimes Unit obtained a search warrant for a residence in the 100 block of 1^st Ave SW. The search warrant allowed entry to the location to search for stolen property and weapons. Once at the location several people exited the location after Police contained the residence and ordered the safe exit of all occupants. At the scene Police were able to determine that the primary offender had refused to exit and had barricaded himself within the location, with the stolen property and weapons.

Members at scene determined the situation to be high risk due to the circumstances and enacted MHPS protocols for such events. As a results members of the MHPS Tactical Team, K-9 unit and Crisis Negotiators attend the location. At approximately 5:15 p.m. members of the Crisis Negotiators Team were able to successful negotiate the accused from the residence, without injury.

A 39-year old Medicine Hat resident is currently in police custody for several offences. Investigators will now execute the search warrant on the location, to determine the exact nature of the charges. The accused name can be released after the conclusion of the investigation and the formal charges have been sworn to.

The MHPS would like to thank the public for their assistance in this matter.

ALERT has seized nearly two kilograms of methamphetamine as part of a major drug seizure in Medicine Hat. The meth seizure is believed to be the city’s largest.

ALERT’s Medicine Hat organized crime team seized 1.9 kilograms of meth from a home the South Flats area. The record seizure was realized on November 5, 2021, after four search warrants were executed, bringing the two-month investigation to a close.

One person has been charged, while additional arrests are anticipated. Medicine Hat Police Service provided assistance on the investigation.

“Disrupting the meth trade has been a priority for ALERT over the past several years. Together, with our partners in Medicine Hat Police and RCMP, we have taken significant quantities of meth off the street and arrested more than 100 suspected dealers since 2018,” said Inspector Sean Boser, ALERT Regional teams.

“The presence of methamphetamine is not only harmful to drug users, but also negatively impacts the overall health and safety of all citizens of Medicine Hat. Police agencies are committed to working together to disrupt drug trafficking networks and keep the community safe,” said Inspector Brent Secondiak, MHPS.

The value of the seizure is estimated at $235,000, and included:

• 1,900 grams of meth;

• 59 grams of fentanyl;

• 15 grams of cocaine;

• 55 tabs of LSD;

• 2.5 grams of MDMA;

• 900 milliliters of GHB;

• 7 grams of psilocybin mushrooms; and

• $100,610 cash.

A firearm was also seized and will be submitted for forensic analysis.

Robert Pegoraro, 24, was charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking, possession of proceeds of crime, and several firearms-related offences.

The 1.9 kilogram meth seizure eclipses what was thought to be Medicine Hat’s previous largest seizure of 1.7 kilograms that was realized in April 2020. ALERT Medicine Hat also seized 1.13 kilograms in July 2019 and 1.02 kilograms in December 2017.

In 2021, ALERT teams from across the province combined to seize more than 57 kilograms of meth.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Kelsey Fraser
Organized Crime Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8425

In June 2021, the Disclosure to Protect Against Domestic Violence Act, commonly referred to as Clare’s Law came into effect in Alberta. The legislation outlines access to information that allows people to make informed choices about potentially harmful intimate partner relationships and is an important tool in protecting Albertans from domestic violence.

It identifies an individual’s right to ask for information regarding their current or former intimate partner’s potential risk for domestic violence. A person can also apply on behalf of someone else if they have their consent, are a legal guardian of the applicant, or have legal authority of the person. Applicants must provide a reason for why they are asking for information.

In addition, it allows police officers to apply, through the Right to Know process, to proactively provide relevant information to an individual if they have reason to suspect intimate partner violence is likely to occur. Information that may lead to a Right to Know request may come from a variety of sources, such as other investigative actions and anonymous reporting. The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) Act allows police to disclose information under circumstances of imminent risk.

For Clare’s Law purposes, domestic violence is the actual or threatened use of force in an intimate partner relationship that may include a single act or a number of acts of violence, which could include: physical, sexual, emotional, or psychological abuse; criminal harassment (like stalking); threats to harm children, other family members or pets; property damage; and exerting control over movements, communications or finances.

To be eligible for Clare’s Law a person must:

• live in Alberta

• be in an intimate partner relationship

• have a reason for applying which details why you feel at risk

• have met the person they have requested information about

• be willing to talk to, and meet with police to receive disclosure information

The Clare’s Law process consists of three steps:

1. Initiation and validation of the application
2. Risk assessment
3. Providing the disclosure

There is no cost to apply. Once an application and all information has been confirmed, the Alberta government will confirm if the application is eligible under Clare’s Law.

For more information or to complete an application visit: Alberta.ca/ClaresLaw

Finlay Bridge is now open, we thank you for your patience.

We are currently at the scene of a motor vehicle collision on Finlay Bridge.  We are asking that motorists avoid the area until further notice.

The roadway is now open for traffic.  Thank you for your patience.

Emergency services personnel have responded to a Motor Vehicle Collision on Dunmore Road near the Trans Canada Highway.  The southbound lanes of Dunmore Road from Ross Glen Drive to the TC Highway have been temporairly closed.  Please plan an alternative route.  

The Medicine Hat Police continue to investigate the high risk incident that occurred in the 300 block of 7th St SW in Medicine Hat on the early morning hours of November 11, 2021. The parties involved in this incident were known to each other and there is no ongoing risk to the community.

Police have issued arrest warrants for,

• Jeremiah Amero (31) for aggravated assault and numerous weapons offences.

• Chad Richard Lentz (42) for aggravated assault.

Police are also looking to locate a 2014 black Mercedes GLK with Alberta licence CJF5736 which is believe to be involved. Police are asking for any assistance of the public regarding the location of these individuals or vehicle. These subjects should be considered armed and dangerous and should not be approached and 911 should be called immediately.

Anyone with any other information that could aid the investigation is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or submit a tip via the website (mhps.ca) or mobile app, which is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.