ARTICLES

On April 16, 2020, the Medicine Hat Police Service was notified of a potentially suicidal male operating a motor vehicle that possibly had a firearm. With a description of the vehicle, Patrols members were able to locate the subject and conduct a vehicle stop. As the driver showed signs of impairment an impaired driving investigation was initiated and the male was transported to MHPS where two breath samples were obtained. Resulting from this investigation the 56-year-old male was charged with:

• Impaired driving and exceed .08
• Two counts of Driving while Prohibited
• Three counts of Breach of Probation
• Three counts of Breach of Recognizance

The accused was released with a court appearance scheduled for July 22, 2020. No firearms were located in the accused’s vehicle.

Impaired driving continues to be a major contributing factor in fatal and serious injuries in Alberta. On average, 6,000 people were convicted of impaired driving in Alberta each year for the last five years. And from 2008-2016, 574 people died and nearly 8,000 people were injured as a result of alcohol- or drug-impaired driving.

Impaired Driving Laws:

• Having a BAC of 0.08 or over within two hours of driving is a criminal offence.

• In Alberta, and in most other Canadian jurisdictions, a driver with a BAC between 0.05 and 0.079 may face provincial consequences through the Immediate Roadside Suspension Program.

• Cannabis limits are measured using nanograms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in blood.

• There are criminal penalties for cannabis when a driver has over 2 ng/ml but less that 5ng/ml of THC in blood and when a driver has 5 ng/ml or more THC in blood.

• There are also criminal penalties for combined drug and alcohol impairment when a driver has 2.5 ng/ml or more THC combined with 50 mg/100ml or more alcohol in their blood.

To report an impaired driver, call 9-1-1.

Media Contact:

Staff Sergeant Humphries
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

On April 16, 2020 members of Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a report of a break and enter to a business located in the 400 Block of 3^rd Street SE, Medicine Hat. Several items were reported to be stolen including electronic equipment and knives with an estimated value of $1,500.

Following an investigation 20 year old male suspect from Calgary, AB was arrested and charged with:

• Break and Enter to a Business
• Theft Under $5,000
• Breach of Probation x 2
• Breach of Recognizance x 6

The MHPS remains diligent in checking business and residential areas for property offenders during the Covid-19 pandemic. Anyone with information regarding any criminal activity is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or submit a report online via the MHPS website at www.mhps.ca or 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.

On April 13, 2020, at approximately 0710 hours a male attended to the front counter of the Medicine Hat Police Service. The male was in obvious distress and advised police that he was going to kill himself. The male then brandished a small hunting knife. Several police officers attended the reception area to confront the male and after a short negotiation the male surrendered himself to police. The male was taken into custody and transported to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for a Mental Health assessment. No one was injured during this incident.  

The Public is reminded that there are mental Health professionals still available during the Covid-19 crisis, and should contact the appropriate organizations if required. 

On April 13, 2020, at approximately 0620 hours Medicine Hat 911 Communications received a complaint that a vehicle had just been stolen from a residence on Woodman Avenue SE. Patrol members attended to the area and located the vehicle a short distance away, in motion, and being driven toward a dead end cul-de-sac. Police officers followed but before a vehicle stop could be initiated the driver did a U-turn and began to flee the area. The unknown driver rammed the approaching police cruiser to facilitate their escape causing considerable vehicle damage. No police officers were injured as a result of this incident.

The stolen vehicle was last seen leaving the city Eastbound on Highway 41A. The vehicle was described as a mid-90’s White Ford F250 Regular Cab with a full box canopy and bearing Saskatchewan Licence Plate 162 JSB. The MHPS would like to speak to any witnesses who may have further information or may have observed this incident and ask that they contact police at (403)529-8481. If this vehicle is located please do not approach and contact police immediately.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Ryan Thorburn

Patrol Section

Medicine Hat Police Service

PH: 403-529-8481

The Medicine Hat Police Service Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Section has noted a concerning trend involving aggressive dog complaints. Since April 1 2020 there have been six aggressive dog complaints received, with five confirmed bites involving persons or other animals. Of the six complaints:

• Three occurred in a residential area and three occurred in a park, both in on-leash and off-leash areas;
• All of the dogs who were victims of an attack were on leash;
• The persons injured were interjecting in the attack or simply riding a bike;
• Consistent in all of the attacks is that the owner of the offending dogs were not in control.

The frequency of aggressive dog complaint reported in the month of April has increased by 50 percent as compared to historical data. This increase is believed to be related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting increase in use of path and park areas and due to dogs who are not used to being socialized now interacting with other animals and pedestrians.

As a reminder to the public, The City of Medicine Hat Responsible Animal Ownership bylaw 3935 states:

DOGS IN OFF LEASH AREAS AND PARKS

No Owner may exercise a dog in an off-leash area while not restrained by

a Leash unless:

• the dog is under the control of a person at least eighteen (18) years

of age;

• While in an off-leash area, a person shall use the land in accordance with

any sign or signs which have been posted setting out the days, times and

manner in which a person is permitted to use the off-leash area.

THREATENING OR NUISANCE BEHAVIOURS

Any Owner of an Animal which:

• bites or chases a person or other animal;
• bites or chases any motor vehicle or bicycle;
• barks, howls or otherwise comports itself in such a fashion as to
• disturb any person, or in the opinion of a Bylaw Enforcement Officer

is likely to disturb any person;

• barks, howls or otherwise comports itself in such fashion as to alarm
• or cause any person to fear for their physical safety;
• bites a person causing a Severe Injury;
• causes the death of another Animal;
• causes any damage whatsoever to any property or any injury
• whatsoever to any person or other Animal;
• is at any time within the floral area of any Park or disturbs or destroys

any vegetation or Animal habitat in any Park;

• is at any time upon any cemetery property within the City;
• is at any time upon any property where the Animal is prohibited as
• indicated by a sign or other marking; or
• is guilty of an offence.

VICIOUS DOGS

If a Bylaw Enforcement Officer believes on reasonable and probable

grounds that a dog has:

• chased, injured or bitten a person or other Animal;
• damaged or destroyed any property;
• threatened or created the reasonable apprehension of a threat to a
• person or other animal;
• the Bylaw Enforcement Officer may seize and impound the dog at the Animal Control Shelter.

The Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Section will be increasing patrols of city parks and trails, as well as both on-leash and off-leash areas. Any complaints or concerns regarding. Should be directed to the Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Section, by calling 403-529-8481.

https://www.medicinehat.ca/government/bylaws/bylaws-in-force

Media Contact:

Heather Trail

Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Supervisor
Medicine Hat Police Service

Ph: 403-529-8436

MHPS and Fire Service are currently on scene at a vehicle fire on the 200 block of Ross Glen Drive South East. Please avoid the area until such time as emergency crews have the scene safe and contained.

Patrol Staff Sergeant

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) in collaboration with Community Housing and the City of Medicine Hat Parks and Recreation Department is announcing a new collaborative effort to reduce homeless encampments found within areas of the City, and increase awareness of local housing programs. The ultimate goal of the program is to ensure that all parks and open spaces within the community are enjoyable for everyone.

The program will consist of members of the Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Section, Community Housing Outreach workers and Parks and Recreation, pro-actively searching areas of the City, and identifying homeless encampments. Once identified, occupants of homeless encampments will be provided with information on the City’s housing programs and be removed from the location. One of the goals of the team members will be to provide information and only rely on enforcement measures when necessary.

In order to ensure that homeless encampments are properly identified, the MHPS is requesting that the public contact the Police Service non-emergency line to report all homeless encampments at 403-529-8481 or on the MHPS Mobile App. This consistency in reporting will ensure that all identified locations are dealt with in a consistent manner.

Media Contact:

Insp Brent Secondiak
Operations Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

or

Jamie Rogers
Manager
Homeless & Housing Development Dept.
Ph: 403-928-1714

On April 6, 2020, at approximately 6:20 PM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a report of a male with a firearm in Police Point park. An employee of the Nature Centre was advised by two people who were just walking out of the park that they saw a male who was trying to hide a firearm under his jacket.

Police attended, cordoned off the area, and evacuated the park. While evacuating the park other witnesses advised police that they had also observed a male with a firearm. Due to the elevated threat level, members of the Tactical Team utilized the Armoured Rescue Vehicle (ARV) and a drone to assist in searching the area for the male subject.

After an extensive search the male was located in a tent near the river bed. The male was cooperative and surrendered to police without incident. An initial search of the area revealed some loaded and spent ammunition as well as illegal drugs.

The 26-year-old male is held in custody and is facing a number of criminal charges. The matter is still under investigation.

The park is open to the public, however police officers will be in the area conducting a search. The MHPS would like to speak to witnesses who observed the male with the firearm and ask that they contact police at (403)529-8481.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Rod Thompson
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
PH: 403-529-8416

Members of the MHPS have recently cleared and reopened Police Point Park. Police have arrested one person in relation to this event; however, further investigation is ongoing.  More information regarding this incident will be released on the morning of April 7, 2020.

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Members of the Medicine Hat Police Service are responding to a high risk incident in Police Point Park and are asking for residents to avoid the area until further notice.

The Medicine Hat Police Service has expanded online reporting capabilities to improve service delivery to the community while practicing safe distancing measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Some previous filters have been removed that prevented the reporting of incidents online and some categories have been expanded. Online reporting must be used for reporting a crime if the loss or damage is under $5,000 and there are no suspects. Reports can be filed online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Once the information is submitted, a file number will be generated and final report returned to the email provided, usually within 24 hours. If you do not have internet access or have an email address, you can report the incident by calling (403) 529-8481.

The following report types should be submitted online:

• Theft from vehicle (car prowling)– Up to $5,000 value of property
• Theft of property– Up to $5,000 value of property
• NEW - Theft of credit or debit card (when that is the only item missing)
• Mischief to vehicle– such as vandalism
• Mischief to property– such as vandalism & graffiti
• Lost property– with the exception of government-issued ID such as passports. Please call (403) 529-8481 to report lost government issued documents.
• Attempted stolen vehicle– regardless of damage value
• NEW - Break & enter into unlocked premise other than residential (includes; sheds, parking garages, storage lockers, detached garages, etc.) Residential and commercial break and enters should be reported to (403)-529-8481.
• NEW - Theft of mail (including packages from postal services and other delivery services)
• NEW - Stolen property for sale online (including; Kijiji, Craigslist, Facebook, etc.)

Online reports can be submitted via the MHPS mobile app, which is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices or submitted via the MHPS website (mhps.ca) or click direct link here.

For all other property-related offences, call the MHPS non-emergency line 403-529-8481, where officers are available to answer questions and take some reports over the phone.

To report a motor vehicle collision with no injuries call the Collision Reporting Centre at 403-581-1070.

Continue to use 9-1-1 for all emergencies and to report crimes in progress.

Media Contact:

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