ARTICLES

In the early hours of August 25, 2019, damage was caused to the personal property of 12 families, living in the Ross Glen area of Medicine Hat, with white spray paint being randomly applied to the vehicles, residences, fences, and City property, including the sidewalks.

Members of the Medicine Hat Police Service Patrol Section employed crime data analytics to assist in the search for the suspects and this assisted in the identification of the offenders.

As a result a 17 year old male youth and 18 year old male adult have been charged with 12 counts of Mischief under $5,000. Both males have been placed on bail conditions and will be appearing before the Provincial Court in due course.

The victims of this crime will be contacted by MHPS Victim Services to complete relevant restitution requests. Crime analytics are an invaluable resource for investigators, compiling crime data to determine trends, known offenders and predictive analysis.

Media Contact:

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

Over the past month, there has been an increase in reported thefts from vehicles in the North East and North West areas of Medicine Hat.

To address this concerning trend, a strategic initiative was implemented by the Medicine Hat Police Service Patrol Section to investigate. Together with an increased diligence by the public reporting suspicious activity has resulted in the identification of the offenders.

Resulting from this initiative, five youth, ranging in age from 14 to 17 years old, were identified as being predominantly responsible for these events. The young offenders cannot be identified under the provisions of the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

The MHPS, with the assistance of the Medicine Hat Provincial Crown’s office, the Provincial Court, Child and Family Services, the Police and Crisis Team as well as the relevant caregivers, will be utilizing a multi-faceted approach to address the criminal behavior of those responsible. This will include displacement, curfews, no contact orders, addressing mental health concerns as applicable and education of the impact of their behaviors.

The MHPS wishes to thank the community for their diligence in reporting suspicious activity and encourages use of the MHPS Mobile app as a simple way to report concerns (anonymously if preferred). The app 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:

Insp Brent Secondiak

Operational Services Division

Medicine Hat Police Service

Ph: 403-529-8416

On Thursday, August 29^th at 9:30am the MHPS Traffic Unit will be conducting an over-dimensional load escort. The escort will be travelling from the west town limits of Redcliff, eastbound through the town of Dunmore.

Due to the size of the loads, the escort will be required to counter-flow the Trans-Canada Hwy. This will cause traffic disruption along Highway #1 in both the east and westbound lanes, along with parts of Bomfort Cres SW, Redcliff Dr SW and Gershaw Dr SW. The escort is expected to take approximately one hour to complete so please plan your commute accordingly.

MHPS appreciates the motoring public's cooperation during these escorts and reminds motorists to obey all police officer, pilot vehicle and flag person's directions.

PSP / FRAUD MHPS File 2019-21199

On August 27, 2019, at approximately 1405 hours a member of the Medicine Hat Police Service was called to the area of Yuill Street and Allowance Avenue for a suspicious person complaint. The diligent police officer observed the suspicious male enter a local business in this area and followed the subject inside to further investigate. Once inside the 35 year old subject, whose name cannot yet be released, was observed using a stolen credit card to purchase merchandise. The store owner was notified by the credit card company to contact police, which in this particular instance, was as easy as handing the stolen credit card notification over the counter to the officer who was standing directly behind the subject. The male was immediately taken into custody for the offence and will appear in court in the near future to answer to these charges.

A video is being shared on social media of the incident; however, the Medicine Hat Police Service cannot release any further details until formal charges have been laid.

This is a great example of the partnership between members of our community and the police service!

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Ryan Thorburn #320
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
(403)529-8481

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) recognizes that the presence of drug trafficking, especially in our neighbourhoods, is a public safety concern and unacceptable. Members of the community can assist police by reporting suspicious behavior police for follow up and investigation. All reports of suspected drug activity are taken seriously. The Police Service executes several warrants each month on residences where drug trafficking occurs.

The following are common signs of suspicious or illegal drug activity. Observing one of the following does not always signal illegal activity, but if they occur frequently or together, a problem may exist.

Signs to look for include:

• Residents that are rarely seen, distant or secretive
• Frequent visitors and unusual traffic at odd times of the day or night
• People repeatedly visiting the property who only go to the door for short durations
• Residents who regularly meet vehicles near the property for short periods.
• Presence of drug paraphernalia (NOTE: Safelink – HIV Community Link in Southeastern Alberta has a needle debris hotline that you can call or text the location of the needle or debris and their outreach team will come to pick it up and safely dispose of it. This service is available Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm by calling or texting (403)866- 4698.)

If you suspect you may be living next to a drug house, the following are some things you can do to mitigate the problem:

• Zero Tolerance. Call the MHPS for any violations of the law you encounter including; excessive noise, unsightly yard, dogs at large, parking violations, noisy parties, noisy vehicles, driving complaints, open liquor on the street, fights etc. These types of lesser offences often go hand-in-hand with drug trafficking. The more attention a drug dealer gets from Police and Bylaw Enforcement, the more likely they are to move on.

The MHPS cannot enter a residence to search for drugs or people without a warrant authorizing them to do so. This only granted if a judge is convinced that there are reasonable and probable grounds to believe drug trafficking is taking place and there are grounds to believe there are drugs within the residence, a police officer cannot assume without secondary information that drugs are always present within a drug house. You can help police form their grounds by keeping detailed notes of dates, times, license plates and other information that help show drug activity is taking place.

When a problem property is identified and there is enough supporting evidence to act, the MHPS will work closely with the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Unit to hold owners accountable for activity taking place on their property and supports landlords by helping them remove problem tenants who disrupt neighbourhoods and destroy property. SCAN can apply to the courts for a Community Safety Order (CSO) that calls for owners to meet a number of conditions, or for the property to be closed for up to 90 days. Neighbors must be diligent as a CSO may take months to obtain as information, notes, intelligence and surveillance are conducted on a problem location.

If you are suspicious about a property in your neighborhood, do not investigate it yourself or approach the occupants. Contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or SCAN at 1-866-960-SCAN (7226). Tips may also be submitted (anonymously if preferred) via 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 Cory Both
Organized Crime Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

Over-Dimensional Load Escort

On Monday, August 26 at 9:30am the MHPS Traffic Unit will be conducting an over-dimensional load escort. The escort will be travelling from the town of Dunmore, westbound to west town limits of Redcliff.

Due to the size of the loads, the escort will be required to counter-flow the Trans-Canada Hwy. This will affect traffic along Highway #1 in both the east and westbound lanes, along with parts of Bomfort Cres SW, Redcliff Dr SW and Gershaw Dr SW. The escort is expected to take approximately one hour to complete so please plan your commute accordingly.

MHPS appreciates the motoring public's cooperation during these escorts and reminds motorists to obey all police officer, pilot vehicle and flag person's directions.

The Medicine Hat Police Service Major Crime Section has charged at 58-year-old woman in connection with an internal theft from the Medicine Hat Rifle and Revolver Club.

At the time of the offence, the woman held a position on the Board of Directors with the Medicine Hat Rifle and Revolver Club. Based on the investigation to date, it is believed that the theft was isolated to this one organization, and is estimated at $36,000.

Christa Keating, 58, of Medicine Hat, is charged with theft over $5,000. Keating is scheduled to appear in court on September 24, 2019.

Media Contact:

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

Over-Dimensional Load Escort

On Thursday, August 22nd at 11:00am the MHPS Traffic Unit will be conducting an over-dimensional load escort. The escort will be travelling from the town of Dunmore, westbound to west town limits of Redcliff.

Due to the size of the loads, the escort will be required to counter-flow the Trans-Canada Hwy. This will affect traffic along Highway #1 in both the east and westbound lanes, along with parts of Bomfort Cres SW, Redcliff Dr SW and Gershaw Dr SW. The escort is expected to take approximately one hour to complete so please plan your commute accordingly.

MHPS appreciates the motoring public's cooperation during these escorts and reminds motorists to obey all police officer, pilot vehicle and flag person's directions.

On August 18, 2019 at approximately 4:30 PM, the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) received a report of a suspicious person and vehicle located in the 800 block of 5^th Street SE. An officer attended the area and located a male, who was determined to be, Robert Horon, age 34 years, of Redcliff, AB.

Horon had been previously charged by the MHPS on August 17, 2019 with four counts of criminal harassment and at the time of the second arrest was breaching the conditions of his release, which included being prohibited from going to any; public park, swimming pool, daycare center, school ground, playground or community center; and not to possess any weapons.

Robert Horon age 34 of Redcliff AB, has subsequently been charged with two counts of breach of recognizance, due to his proximity to a school ground and a search of the accused’s vehicle located an improvised weapon. Horon is in custody and scheduled to appear in Provincial Court on August 20, 2019.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Trevor Humphries
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service

Ph: 403-529-8461

On August 17, 2019, police were alerted to the presence of a male in the area of 19 St SE, who appeared to be watching and subsequently approaching his female victims, in a manner that was causing alarm and distress to the victims and their accompanying children.  The male was reported to be driving a silver dually Dodge RAM with Alberta Plates.  This male was located shortly after by police in the area of 13 Ave SE, Medicine Hat and arrested for 2 counts of Criminal Harassment.  A subsequent investigation revealed two further victims of his activity and a further 2 counts of Criminal Harassment were laid.  The male, who can now be identified as Robert Horan, 34 years, of Redcliff Alberta was the subject of a Judicial Interim Release Hearing and was released for a future court appearance on August 29th to answer to the charges.  He was placed on release conditions by the court, of no contact with his victims, not to go within 200 meters of their residences, not to possess any weapons, not to have any contact with a child under the age of 14 years and he is banned from going to any public park, swimming pool, daycare center, school ground, playground or community center.  Members of the public are encouraged to continue to report all such suspicious activity to MHPS.  The public is reminded that MHPS does not accept reports via Facebook. 

Media contact

Staff Sergeant Darren Lole