ARTICLES

Please avoid the Trans Canada Hwy at 16th Street SW as there will be emergency maintanance being done on the traffic lights.   Expect lengthy delays for the next 30 to 60 minutes.   Please avoid this area if possible.

Police are on scene at a single vehicle MVC on Dunmore Road hill (near Ravine Dr) which has reduced the southbound lanes to one lane causing congestion.  Please avoid the area if possible until it can be cleared.

Thousands of dollars’ worth of stolen property was recovered after ALERT and Medicine Hat Police Service teamed up to target a suspected methamphetamine dealer.

The joint forces investigation concluded on December 4, 2019, when a rural home was searched in Cypress County, located east of Medicine Hat.

Inside the home, police located approximately 20 grams of meth, along with four firearms and a prohibited 50-round drum magazine. A wide range of suspected stolen property was recovered from an outbuilding on the property.

The suspected stolen property included tools, machinery, and bicycles, which are valued at more than $20,000. MHPS will be attempting to return the stolen property to its rightful owners.

Investigators from ALERT Medicine Hat’s organized crime team and MHPS Priority Street Crimes Unit conducted the investigation in response to meth trafficking concerns, and the correlation with property crimes offences.

“Our community has felt the negative relationship between meth abuse and secondary offences, such as property crime and thefts. Police will continue to target the dealers and the most prolific offenders,” said Staff Sgt. Kelsey Fraser, ALERT Medicine Hat.

Three people were arrested and face multiple charges:

• Denver Ailsby, a 40-year-old man from Cypress County;

• Mike Bishop, a 37-year-old man from Medicine Hat; and

• Keith Baker, a 41-year-old man of no fixed address.

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.

Notices to media:

• High-resolution photos of goods seized are available for download by clicking the thumbnails above.

• A version of this news release is available on ALERT's website

Media inquiries may be directed to:

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

The Strategic Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) for the month of December will focus on impaired driving. Unfortunately, impaired driving is still 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.

With the holiday season upon us, it is important to plan ahead for a safe ride home from your Christmas celebrations, if you have consumed alcohol and/or drugs. Some tips include:

• Before you head out, decide in advance who will be the designated driver.
• Make sure you have the contact information for local taxi companies and ride share services.
• If you’re hosting an event, let your guests know that no one drives away from your party under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Be prepared in advance to help your guests find a safe way home.

Throughout the holiday season, you can expect increased officer presence as check stops are conducted in an effort to promote safe roads.

Sgt. Gerald Sadlemyer
Traffic Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Desk: 403-529-8471

The December 2019 Bylaw Education and Enforcement Program (BEEP) will be focusing on safe parking practices during the holiday season. The Bylaw Enforcement Section would like everyone to always consider parking lot safety all year round, but take extra care around Christmas time when people can be preoccupied or rushed .

Parking lots are busy places, filled with vehicles and people anxious to complete their Christmas shopping list. Road surfaces can be slick and the available spots are a bit tougher to find.

The Public Roads Bylaw # 4346 is the bylaw to be referred to for the following common parking offences in the parking lots.

• Parking in a Fire Lane, even if you only going to be a minute and is prohibited, the fine could be $50. This space is for emergency personal only, at all times.
• If you have a handicapped placard, please display it, if you are not handicapped you may not park in these designated spots. Unless you are authorized to do so, parking in these spots could add up to a $ 200.00 fine.
• Loading zones are clearly marked and parking there for any other reason other than loading is prohibited and also carries a $50 fine.

Adding to the confusion, the lines can be covered when it snows, so please take extra care and always park within a parking stall.

For a safe and happy holiday season, have some extra patience, keep your speeds down and use safe backing practices.

For more information on this program,contact Heather Trail, Supervisor of Municipal Bylaw Enforcement, at 403-529-8436.

On December 2, 2019 at approximately 7:00 am, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) were called to a residence located in the 900 block of 2 Street SE for a report of a male victim who had been assaulted by two unknown males inside his residence. One offender sprayed the victim with bear spray and the other produced a weapon before fleeing the scene. A K9 track was attempted however no suspects were located. The only physical injuries suffered by the victim were those caused by the bear spray.

While the investigation is ongoing, it is believed that this was an isolated incident and this victim was specifically targeted and as such, there is no general public safety risk.

The MHPS Major Crime Section is continuing the investigation and will provide more information on this matter as it is obtained.

Media Contact:

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

Members of the MHPS Patrol Section attended to a high risk incident on the morning of December 2nd, 2019.   The area is now clear, and the incident will be investigated by the Major Crimes Section of the MHPS.   The MHPS would like to thank the public for their assistance in avoiding the area, as requested.  More information regarding the incident will be made available at a later time.  

Memebrs of the Medicine Hat Police Service are currently involved in a high risk incident in the 900 Block of 2nd St SE. The public is asked to avoid the area,  More information regarding this incident will be released at a later time.  

Members of the Medicine Hat Police Service Traffic Section were busy on the nightshift of Friday, November 29^th conducting numerous vehicle stops resulting in the apprehension of four impaired drivers. The first arrest occurred at approximately 5:30pm when a 76 year old Medicine Hat man was taken into custody for impaired driving followed by the arrest of a 31 year old Redcliff man at 8:50pm. At approximately 11:00pm a 45 year old Medicine Hat man was arrested for impaired driving while the night concluded with the arrest of a 27 year old Medicine Hat female for driving while under the influence.

The Medicine Hat Police Service would like to remind members of the public and motorists to plan ahead at all times ensuring they have responsible, designated drivers. MHPS will continue their focus on road safety this festive season in hopes that safety is optimized for all members of the public.