ARTICLES

At approximately 2 PM on September 9, 2019, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service attended to the intersection of 3 Street SE and 6 Avenue SE for a report of a motor vehicle collision involving a pedestrian.  A white GMC Sierra was travelling southbound on 6 Avenue SE and turned left on to 3 Street SE.  While making the turn the Sierra struck a pedestrian crossing 3rd Street SE.  The pedestrian was taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries.  The driver of the truck has been charged with Failing to Yield to a Pedestrian.

On September 4, 2019 at approximately 5:00 AM, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) responded a residential structure fire on 4th Street SE. The fire caused extensive damage to the home, but no one was injured.

Members of the Medicine Hat Police Service Major Crime Section are working with investigators from the Medicine Hat Fire Service in an attempt to determine the cause of the fire. As this time, police are treating the investigation as an arson.

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 Service (MHPS) Community Safety Unit (CSU) is dedicated to enhancing community policing through crime prevention programs, providing a visible presence in the schools and working cooperatively with school administration, staff, students and parents for a safe school environment.

The Unit is led by Sgt. Darlene Garrecht, and is comprised of two Community Liaison Officers and three School Resource Officers.

Cst. Marie Guerard and Cst. Keegan Clarke are the Community Liaison Officers. They act as the School Resource Officers for 27 schools, including all of the elementary and junior high schools. They also coordinate the delivery of the Encouraging Positive Informed Choices (EPIC) to students in Grades 4,6 and 8. EPIC was developed by MHPS members and focuses on teaching kids about healthy friendships, cyber safety, bullying, and the dangers of drugs, alcohol and tobacco use.

Cst. Marc Seiller, Cst. Jason Van Mulligen and Cst. Darryl Hubich are the three School Resource Officers For the 2019-2020 school year, Cst. Seiller is assigned to Crescent Heights High School, Cst. Hubich is assigned to Medicine Hat High School and Cst. Jason Van Mulligen is excited to be returning to McCoy High School, Notre Dame and St Marys.

The members of the MHPS CSU are excited for the school year to begin and look forward to connecting with the community! You can connect with MHPS CSU on Twitter @MHPSCommSafety.

For more information, or to reach a member of the MHPS CSU, contact Sgt Darlene Garrecht at 403-529-8451 or by email @Darlene.Garrecht@mhps.ca.

Media Contact:

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

On September 4, 2019, at approximately 8:45 AM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to the Food Bank following a report of an erratic adult male who may possibly be in possession of a weapon.

Upon arrival, police located the male who appeared highly agitated and verbally aggressive. The male was quickly removed from the grounds and taken into custody. The male was not found to be in possession of any weapons.

The male is believed to be suffering from mental health distress and possible use of street narcotics. The male will be held in police custody pending a welfare check by a physician. No criminal charges are pending from this incident.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Kelsey Fraser
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

On September 2, 2019, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to two separate incidents of arson in the 600 block of 10 Street SE near Kingsway Avenue SE. On the first occasion, a small fire was observed and quickly extinguished by members of the Medicine Hat Fire Service.

Several hours later, police and fire responded to a second complaint of arson in the same vicinity. With assistance from the public, a 33-year-old male who was observed at the scene of both incidents was identified. After, further investigation there were reasonable and probable grounds to charge the male with; arson to property and possession of incendiary device. The male is in custody awaiting a bail hearing, and cannot be identified at this time.

There were no reported injuries resulting from either fire, which occurred in a green space area.

The Medicine Hat Police Service would like to thank the public for their assistance in this matter.

Media Contact

S/Sgt Ryan Thorburn
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

A structure fire was reported to Medicine Hat Regional 9-1-1 at 9:59 am, September 1, 2019 which has resulted in a multi-agency response.

Emergency Crews attended to the fire in the 400 Block of 21 St NE., Medicine Hat, and found that the fire was fully involved. At present, a Medicine Hat Fire Service Fire Investigator is on scene and will be conducting an investigation to determine the origin and cause of the fire.

Resources that responded to the scene included: City of Medicine Hat Utilities, Medicine Hat Fire Service, and Medicine Hat Police Service patrol members.

Support to the affected persons included the Medicine Hat Police Service – Victim Services Unit who specialize in trauma support in instances such as these. 

There are no reported injuries to the affected persons or fire fighters that responded.

Any media inquires are directed to the attention of the Medicine Hat Fire Service.

Sgt. Kesler

Patrol Team 2

A structure fire was reported to Medicine Hat Regional 9-1-1 at 9:59 am, September 1, 2019 which has resulted in a multi-agency response..

Emergency Crews are currently on scene at a structure fire in the 400 Block of 21 St NE., Medicine Hat.  Please avoid the area to allow emergency and city crews to do their work.  Please comply with police and peace officers that are on scene providing traffic control. 

Further details will follow as the incident unfolds. 

At present there are no reports of fatalities

Sgt. Kesler 

Patrol Team 2

On August 30, 2019, at approximately 7:50 AM, a 2016 BMW sedan was travelling West on Highway 1 when it lost control at the intersection of 6 St SW and collided with a traffic light standard. The driver and lone occupant, a 53 year old male, was not injured in the collision. Emergency services and road repair workers were on scene until 09:30 AM re-routing traffic until the collision scene was cleared of all debris, and traffic lights could be repaired. Total estimated damage is $80,000.

The driver of the vehicle has been charged for failing to stop before entering an intersection on a yellow light, contrary to Section 53(1) Use of the Highway and Rules of the Road Regulations. This offence carries a penalty of $155.00.

Media Contact

Sgt. Kesler

Patrol Team 2

403.529.8461

Emergency Crews are on scene at a motor vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 1 and 6 St SW.  Emergency crews expect to be on scene for an extended period of time while the scene is being cleaned up and vehicles moved. 

Please allow extra time during your commute this morning and follow the directions of police and fire fighters that are on scene providing traffic control. 

Sgt. Kesler #286

Patrol team 2

Heading out for a night on the town with friends new and old is a classic part of student culture. As the Fall semester is set to begin, the Medicine Hat Police Service would like to welcome back all of the students and offers some personal safety tips for students (and anyone else) planning a night out:

• Plan for a safe ride home. Designate a sober driver or ensure that you arrange for a safe ride through a licensed cab or taxi service in a vehicle that is clearly marked. Never accept a ride home from someone you do not know, operating an unlicensed taxi. If you decide to walk home, make sure you are always with someone, and stick to well-lit and public areas.
• Stay together with your friends. Don’t go off by yourself or with someone you don’t know. Keep track of your friends too.
• Drink sensibly. Know your limits and stay within in it. Never leave your drink unattended or accept a drink from a stranger.
• Never leave your personal property unattended in a public place.
• Report concerns to the MHPS by calling 911 in an emergency or 403-529-8481 for non-emergencies

Stay safe and have fun!

Media Contact:

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