ARTICLES

On August 19, 2020 at approximately 6:00 PM, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) and Medicine Hat Fire Service, responded to a structure fire in the 2500 block of 22 Avenue SE. The fire was contained to one side of the duplex and no one was injured.

As this time, police are treating the investigation as an arson and members of the Major Crime Section are working to identify the person responsible for this offence.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800 -222-8477 (TIPS). Tips may also be submitted (anonymously if preferred) thru the MHPS Mobile App, which is free and available to download for both Apple and Android devices by searching ‘Medicine Hat Police Service’ on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt. Chad Holt
Major Crime Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421

The Medicine Hat Police along with Medicine Hat Fire are currently on the scene of a structure fire in the 2500 block of 22 Avenue SE. Please avoid the area.

We are now clear of the scene on Scholten Hill and it is now open to the public.

The Medicine Hat Police is currently at the scene of a motor vehicle collision on Scholten Hill. The investigation is ongoing and traffic is being re-routed. Please avoid the area.

Vehicles, firearms, and power tools are just some of the stolen items recovered by an upstart policing team in southeast Alberta. A joint forces initiative between ALERT, Medicine Hat Police Service, and the RCMP is aimed at tackling regional property crime.

ALERT’s Southeast Alberta Property Crime Unit launched at the beginning of April 2020, with its creation attributable to new funding provided by the Alberta Government. The unit will explore the regional correlation between property crime and street-level drug activity within Medicine Hat and surrounding areas.

“Property crime – much of it driven by drug addiction – endangers the safety and security of Albertans. I am confident ALERT’s innovative partnership with the Medicine Hat Police Service and the RCMP will help bring many of those responsible for drug-related crime in southeastern Alberta to justice. Our government is providing ALERT with $50 million in new funding over four years for new initiatives like this to fight serious and organized crime and keep Albertans safe in their communities,” said Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General

Medicine Hat Police Service identified the correlation between drug users/traffickers and stolen property offences via a two-year case study analysis. Between September 2017 and September 2019 police examined nine cases of persons involved in significant rural and urban property crimes in the area, and further identified an estimated $1.6 million worth of stolen goods.

“By regionalizing our Property Crime Unit and working closely with our partners in the RCMP, through the effective leadership of ALERT, our communities will be safer and criminals will soon learn that enforcement has no borders,” said MHPS Chief Andy McGrogan.

ALERT’s new, integrated unit has made 73 arrests since April 2020, resulting in over 250 charges. More than $240,000 worth of stolen goods has been recovered, along with approximately $34,000 worth of drugs. Some of the recovered items include: multiple stolen vehicles; all-terrain vehicles; power tools; generators; license plates; and copper wire.

ALERT has been able to connect some of the stolen property to thefts in Medicine Hat, Redcliff, Cypress County, County of Forty Mile, County of Newell, and Sundre.

“Criminals don’t respect borders. Through an integrated, collaborative policing approach, we can provide a swift and agile response to this multi-jurisdictional crime trend,” said Supt. Dwayne Lakusta, ALERT Chief Executive Officer.

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. Medicine Hat residents can also submit tips anonymously through the Medicine Hat Police Service mobile app, which is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

ALERT was established and is funded by the Alberta Government and is a compilation of the province’s most sophisticated law enforcement resources committed to tackling serious and organized crime.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Mike Tucker
Communications Director
Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Ph: 780-509-3015

Rita Sittler
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

Please be advised police are on the scene of a three vehicle motor collision at the bottom of Scholten Hill.  Traffic is reduced to one lane. 

Update.  The collision has been cleared, normal traffic flow has resumed. 

On August 17, 2020 at approximately 4:00 AM, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) and Medicine Hat Fire Service, responded to a fire within an apartment building located on Sprague Way SE. It appears that an unidentified person had intentionally started a fire within the stairwell. No one was injured and the damage was minimal due to the fire being put out at an early stage.

As this time, police are treating the investigation as an arson and members of the Major Crime Section are working to identify the person responsible for this offence.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800 -222-8477 (TIPS). Tips may also be submitted (anonymously if preferred) thru the MHPS Mobile App, which is free and available to download for both Apple and Android devices by searching ‘Medicine Hat Police Service’ on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt. Chad Holt
Major Crime Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421

The source of the frivolous 911 calls has been uncovered.  It was found to be a curious 5 year old who had been calling us.  We would like to thank those parents and family members who checked with their children and their devices to help us find the source of these calls. 

Members of the Medicine Hat Police Service are currently investigating a complaint involving frivolous 911 calls. Over the past 24 hours hundreds of calls have been made to Medicine Hat 911 Communication Centre from a disconnected cellular phone in the Medicine Hat area. The caller is believed to be a female child who is playing with an inactive phone. These phones maintain communication with the cellular network as a safety mechanism for 911 emergencies only.  When 911 communication lines are tied up these types of frivolous calls it can prevent legitimate 911 emergencies from being reported or attended by local emergency services. Parents are asked to monitor their children to ensure that they are not calling 911 from these inactive devices and request that inactive cellular devices are not given to children as toys.