ARTICLES

On May 14, 2020, at approximately 4:45am, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) responded to the 200 block of 4^th Street SW to investigate a weapons complaint. The investigation has determined that an unidentified person approached the residence on foot and fired several shots into the house before immediately fleeing the area on foot. The suspect at the time of the shooting was seen wearing what appeared to be all black clothing. A Police K-9 unit was deployed, but was not able to locate an offender in the area. No one in the residence was physically injured as a result of this offence.

While it is early in the investigation, it is believed that the residence was specifically targeted, and as such at this time there is no general public safety risk.

The MHPS Major Crime Section will continue the investigation and is asking that anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800 -222-8477 (TIPS). Specifically, the MHPS would like to follow up with a male witness that observed the offender running away. The male who previously spoke with an officer on scene is asked to contact the MHPS Major Crime Section at 403-529-8421.

Tips may also be submitted (anonymously if preferred) through 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

Colton Cobler, has been located and is safe! The MHPS would like to thank the community for their help.

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) is aware of an emerging trend of local online groups that have been created to encourage the gesture of members treating others with a baskets of goodies that are delivered anonymously, in an effort to lift the spirits of fellow community members.

While the groups have been created with the best of intentions, to support local businesses and bring smiles during difficult times of isolation caused by the pandemic, the MHPS would like to share an important reminder about the inherent safety risks of sharing personal information on the internet, including; names, addresses and family details.

While the groups may have some administrative settings in an attempt to restrict the approval of members, there are predators who are also on the internet who are able to easily make a false profile and can be added to these groups inadvertently, especially as the group size grows. In addition, individuals sneaking up to people or homes wearing masks and other costumes may cause concern for other members of the public who are not aware of the group and in turn report to police.

As such the MHPS would like to strongly encourage members of the groups to carefully review the information they have shared and their own personal social media account privacy settings. A safer alternative would be to continue the concept of random acts of kindness, but limit the scope to members of you existing social circle.

Media Contact:

Sgt Darlene Garrecht
Community Safety Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8451

This week is Alberta Crime Prevention Week, intended to raise awareness about what communities can do to promote community safety through the prevention of crime.

Safe Homes

Our homes are very important to us and during the COVID-19 pandemic individuals are spending more time at home than ever before. In addition the usual tips about taking steps to ensure that your home and property are secured, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design or "CPTED (pronounced sep-ted) is the science around the design and effective use of physical space to reduce both the incidence and fear of crime. Aspects such as locks, windows, doors, fencing, cameras, lighting, and vegetation are just some of the tools in the CPTED toolkit. The practice of CPTED ensures that all spaces are defined, properly designed, and have a designated use to deflect and deter crime within and around properties.

Safe Communities

The best way to deal with problems is to stop them before they start. Throughout the pandemic we have heard it said that “We are all in this together”. The same can be said for crime prevention strategies. Communities are safer when citizens act together. Neighbourhood safety is a shared responsibility, in which both citizens and police have important roles. Small steps are often the best way to start building a community, which could involve such simple things as alerting neighbours when suspicious activity seems to be happening and reporting to police by calling 911. Many people believe that the police do not want to be called if something suspicious is happening, but this is not true. By calling 911 police are able to respond immediately to the area to check it out.

Online Safety

In addition to protecting our physical spaces, we also need to take steps to keep ourselves and our children safe online. While we stay safe indoors, individuals are spending more time online; learning, connecting with one another and conducting business transactions. This increased activity has unfortunately resulted in increased frauds and scams. To protect yourself online always protect your personal information and be on the look out for phishing scams. The best way to deal with phishing and other spam emails is to delete them on sight. Don’t open them, don’t reply to them, don’t open any attachments or click on any links, and definitely don’t send any money, bitcoins or gift cards in response to unsolicited emails.

Talk to your children about online safety and encourage them to let you know when something goes wrong. Set standards for what your kids can and cannot do online, teach them to keep personal information private and monitor their activities.

The Medicine Hat Police Service Community Safety Unit looks forward to continuing our crime prevention community programming when it is safe to do so. Until then, take care of yourselves, your families and your neighbours. If you have any questions or concerns contact the MHPS non emergency line 403-529-8481 or 911 in an emergency.

Media Contact:

Sgt Darlene Garrecht
Community Safety Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8451

On Sunday, May 10, 2020, the Medicine Hat Police stopped a motorist traveling 102 kmh in a 50 kmh zone along 20 St NE and Hatcher Drive NE. The 82 year old male was charged with exceeding the speed limit and was given a mandatory court date to speak to the charge. With an increase of both vehicular and pedestrian traffic this type of driving behavior is both dangerous and unacceptable. Motorists are reminded that all roads within the City of Medicine Hat have a 50kmh speed limit, unless otherwise posted, and 30kmh playground zones are in effect from 7:30am to 9:00pm daily. The MHPS reminds to public to stay safe and obey the posted speed limits.

On May 8, 2020 members of the Medicine Hat Police attended to a residence on McCutcheon Drive for a Mental Health related complaint involving a 24 year old male. Police Officers attempted to negotiate with the male and were required to apprehend him under the Mental Health Act for his own safety and the safety of others, as the male refused to voluntarily obtain assistance for his complex needs.

As the officers attempted to arrest the subject, he attempted to flee the scene. The officers then prevented the escape of the subject at which time the subject assaulted a police officer, by head-butting him and biting him. The members at scene were then forced to deployed O/C spray, an intermediate weapon to control the subject and were able to take the subject into custody.

The subject will be charged with Assaulting a Police Officer, and Resisting Arrest. The male, who will not be named, will be taken to the Medicine Hat Hospital for medical treatment pertaining to ongoing mental health concerns. The officer involved in the incident received minor injuries.

Several agencies within the City of Medicine Hat provide mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you or someone known to you are experiencing increasing mental health concerns please contact:

Alberta Health Services Addictions and Mental Health 403-529-3500 or the Provincial website at https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/Page16759.aspx

or

The Canadian Mental Health Association at 403-504-1811

Media Contact:

Staff Sergeant Jason Graham

Patrol Team Supervisor

Medicine Hat Police Service

Ph: 403-529-8461

Update on missing Medicine Hat man MHPS file 20-9536

Kory George, has been located and is safe! The MHPS would like to thank the community for sharing the post and for the tips received.

ALERT seized a loaded handgun during the arrest of a suspected drug dealer. In addition to the firearm, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine were seized.

The drug seizure took place on May 1, 2020, in Bassano, Alta. ALERT’s Medicine Hat organized crime team conducted a planned vehicle stop on a group suspected of supplying drugs to the Medicine Hat area.

Medicine Hat Police, Bassano RCMP, and Calgary Police assisted with the short-term investigation.

“Taking a firearm out of the hands of a suspected drug dealer only serves to enhance public safety,” said Insp. Sean Boser, ALERT Regional teams.

Three Calgary suspects were arrested. A search of the vehicle yielded an estimated $35,000 worth of drugs, including:

• 235 grams of methamphetamine;
• 78 grams of fentanyl;
• 9 grams of cocaine; and
• $800 cash.

One of the suspects, Robert Jones, was in possession of a loaded handgun. The 53-year-old man faces numerous firearms-related offences, in addition to drug and breach charges.

Two of his associates were arrested and charged with drug offences: Deborah McIntosh, a 52-year-old woman from Calgary, and Gerald Wright, a 42-year-old man from Calgary.

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 Contact:

Staff Sgt. Kelsey Fraser
Medicine Hat Organized Crime Team
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Ph: 403-529-8425

The Medicine Hat Police Service is seeking the assistance of the public to locate 49-year-old, Kory George, who was reported missing on May 6, 2020. Kory might be seen driving his 2014 red Ford Explorer with Alberta licence plate BHS7702 and he may have been travelling to either the Strathmore, AB or Moyie, B.C. area. Kory is described as approximately 5'9" tall (182cm) and 220lbs (100kg) with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information that could assist in locating Kory George can contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481.

On May 5, 2020, at approximately 9:15 pm, Medicine Hat 911 Communications received a report from a male in St. Louis, Missouri that a manifesto had been posted to the internet platform Reddit, which contained threats to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. As a result, the hospital was placed on lockdown.

Medicine Hat Police Service investigators began tracing the origin of the online threat. It was determined that a 12-year-old male, who has ties to Medicine Hat, but no longer living here, had been online gaming with persons unknown from different parts of North America. One of the other players became angry and stated that they were going to “swat” the young player.

Swatting is the action or practice of making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of armed police officers to a particular address. It is sometimes connected to online video gamers, used as a punishment or retaliation for losing, by someone who wants to frighten, upset, or cause problems for that person.

Police completed an Emergency Disclosure Request to trace the IP address associated with the threat and determined the origin of the message to be from the Seattle, Washington area, eliminating the male youth as the suspect and making him another victim of this offence.

Once it was determined there was no credible threat to the hospital, the lockdown was lifted. With the assistance of the of the online platform administrators the account and threats were removed from the website.

Police are urging parents to speak to their children about the dangers of online multiplayer gaming including the importance of:

• Asking for permission before using new apps/games
• Not responding to or clicking on messages or links from someone they don’t know
• Telling parents if they come across something or someone online who makes them feel uncomfortable
• Not accepting requests from another gamer to chat on another site

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Trevor Humphries
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461