ARTICLES

Four people have been arrested and nearly $90,000 worth of methamphetamine and cocaine has been seized by ALERT.

ALERT Medicine Hat’s organized crime team made the drug seizures on April 11 and April 30, 2024, as two planned vehicle stops were conducted. The Medicine Hat Police Service and Brooks RCMP provided assistance.

“Our team is focused on community safety and by intercepting the drug shipment before it reached the city we have prevented these harmful substances from hitting the streets,” said Ryan Thorburn, ALERT Medicine Hat.

ALERT seized 500 grams of methamphetamine and 573 grams of cocaine. A vehicle was also seized that will be submitted to the province’s civil forfeiture office.

Four people face numerous drug-related offences:

• Aaron Hotchen, 59-year-old from Medicine Hat;
• Melissa Shpak, 34-year-old from Medicine Hat;
• Terry Van Huizen, 31-year-old from Medicine Hat; and
• Heidi Clampitt, 25-year-old from Medicine Hat.

The investigation began in February 2024 in response to community concerns related to drug trafficking in the Medicine Hat region.

In Medicine Hat, members of the public who suspect drug activity can contact the MHPS by calling 403-529-8481 or submitting tips online (anonymously if preferred) via the website at mhps.ca or the MHPS mobile app. The app is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

Albertans 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.

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 inquiries may be directed to:

Mike Tucker

Communications Director

Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)

780-509-3015

May 10, 2024 – UPDATE – Male Charged with Mischief

On May 9, 2024, a male was arrested and charged in connection to a series of businesses and personal vehicles that were damaged in the early morning hours of May 8, 2024.  As a result of the investigation, Robert Leduc, a 52-years-old, of no fixed address, has been charged with several offences including: 

• Four counts of Mischief over $5000
• Seven counts of Mischief Under $5000
• One count of Cause a False Fire Alarm

Leduc was remanded into custody and scheduled to appear in Calgary Court of Justice on May 10, 2024.

The Medicine Hat Police Service extends a thank you to everyone who provided information that aided in the investigation.

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

Public Assistance Requested - Mischief to Property

The Medicine Hat Police Service is seeking public assistance to help further the investigation into damages reported at several local businesses and to private vehicles.

At approximately 4:30 AM on May 8^th, 2024, members of the MHPS Patrol Section responded to a report of damage to a commercial building located in the 0 block of Carry Drive SE. Upon arrival, officers observed extensive damage to the business with numerous windows that had been smashed. Patrol officers were then directed to six other businesses in the vicinity that also had numerous windows that had been broken.  In addition, there were vehicles in the area that also had broken windows, as well as a telecommunication box in the area that had been vandalized. It is believed that the same suspect(s) is responsible for all incidents.

The investigation is ongoing and the MHPS is requesting anyone with information that could assist the investigation into these incidents to call 403-529-8481. Business owners with video surveillance of the area around the time of the offence are asked to check their footage and report if they have video of the suspect. The MHPS is also asking the public for their assistance in identifying a male subject in the attached picture who may have information regarding these incidents.

Tips can be submitted, anonymously if preferred, via the MHPS website (mhps.ca) or mobile app. The app is free to download and is available for both Android and Apple devices.

S/Sgt Rod Thompson
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

The Medicine Hat Police Service is now accepting applications from individuals interested in participating in a Citizen’s Police Academy (CPA). This outreach program is intended to provide community members with the opportunity to learn more about the MHPS, and gain an increased awareness of current policing issues and community safety concerns, through a series of lectures, hands on learning and practical demonstration.

The CPA will start on September 11, 2024, with classes held in the MHPS Community Boardroom and that run weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6pm to 9pm, for ten weeks.  The final class will be held on November 13, 2024.  The presentations, delivered by police personnel, will be interactive and provide insight into the diverse nature of policing, with topics including; an overview of uniformed operations, specialty teams, major crime investigation, community safety initiatives, and emerging crime trends. 

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and successfully pass a security clearance check.  There will be no cost to register or participate. Class size will be limited to 20 participants.  The Academy will conclude with an official graduation ceremony where participants who have successfully completed the program will be presented with a certificate.

For those interested in learning more about policing as a possible profession this program could be helpful however the CPA is NOT intended to train people to be police officers and will not be considered as part of the MHPS recruiting and selection process.

The application deadline for fall CPA 2024 session is June 26, 2024. To apply visit MHPS.ca

For more information contact:

Sgt. Carissa Witkowski
Citizen Police Academy Facilitator
Ph: 403-952-5642
Email: carwit@mhps.ca

On Saturday, June 1, 2024, the Medicine Hat Police Service will be opening our doors to the community from 11 AM to 3:00 PM.  This event will provide an opportunity to learn more about the MHPS and its operations through information and displays, demonstrations and building tours.

In coordination with the Open House, the Medicine Hat Safe Community Association will be hosting a BBQ and 22 local Grade 6 students will be presented with awards from the Chief Gord Earl Leadership Legacy Fund.  The Fund was established in 2008 to celebrate Chief Earl’s contributions to the community and to honor his memory.  The fund is administered through the Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta and each year recognizes Grade 6 students that have demonstrated the core values of the MHPS of integrity, respect, courage, and accountability.

Elementary schools identify students from within the local school districts who have demonstrated the qualities of future community leaders.  Since its inception in 2008, the Chief Earl Leadership Legacy Fund has rewarded 231 students with scholarships.

There is no charge to attend this event and no need to pre-register.

Media Contact:

Sgt. Adam Gregory
Community Safety Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8451

On the morning of August 14, 2023, the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) and the Medicine Hat Fire Department (MHFD) responded to a report of a structure fire at a business located in the 500 block of Rutherford Street NW.

The MHPS Criminal Investigation Section took over the matter and after a lengthy investigation on May 1, 2024, charged Keith Knight (77 years of age), of Medicine Hat, AB with arson for a fraudulent purpose.  Knight was released on an undertaking to appear in Medicine Hat Provincial Court on June 11, 2024.

Media Contact:
S/Sgt. Jason Graham
Criminal Investigation Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421

Community partners work collaboratively to provide an alternative response to temporary encampments in Medicine Hat.

Starting in April a new team of community partners, entitled the Pro-Active Engagement and Community Enhancement (PEACE) Team, involving representatives from the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS), Addiction and Mental Health Police and Crisis Team, Medicine Hat Fire Services, Community Housing, City of Medicine Hat Parks and Recreation Department and the Miywasin Friendship Center will work collectively to identify temporary encampments and provide services to individuals in need.

In 2023, members of the MHPS Operational Services Division and Municipal Bylaw Enforcement attended to 134 calls for service at encampments throughout the city. Additionally, the Medicine Hat Fire Service attended to 60 calls where fires or accelerants were present in encampments, and the Parks and Recreation Department was tasked with numerous cleanups of encampments which resulted in a substantial cost associated to the removal of discarded materials.

Outdoor encampments are a safety concern to the community due to the risk of fire and hazardous conditions. The PEACE team was created to coordinate the efforts of all involved agencies and provide a proactive response to the concerns associated with encampments. Members of the PEACE team will provide information and resources to individuals in the encampments, including mental health and addictions supports if required, and will work to connect those in need with reasonable access to community housing. Enforcement at locations may occur if primary support options are not accepted.

The PEACE team participants were carefully selected as each agency has direct contact with persons who live in outdoor encampments. “This partnership will increase the effectiveness of each agency as well as provide a multitude of resources to those in need,” says MHPS Chief Al Murphy. “It is our goal to ensure outdoor spaces can be enjoyed by the entire community and those who are struggling are provided the resources they require.”

The PEACE Team will commence operations in April and will provide services until September at which time a review of calls attended, and effectiveness of the program will occur.

Media Contact:
Inspector Brent Secondiak
Operational Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8412

With spring in the air and warmer temperatures forthcoming, people are spending more time outside, and the familiar sounds of noisy mufflers and modified vehicles are unfortunately also increasing as well.

At this time of year, it is common for the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) to receive an increased number of complaints relating to noisy vehicles. To proactively address this concern, the MHPS Traffic Unit officers have provided training to front-line officers to ensure they can effectively identify and investigate noisy vehicle violations. In addition, this year the Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Section has been provided training on noisy vehicle enforcement which will provide additional resources for enforcement of the legislation.

Over the coming months, the MHPS will be conducting enhanced targeted enforcement, with a focus on modified vehicles, and loud vehicles. The safety of all road users is important to the MHPS and through this enforcement initiative the goal is to reduce the number of problem vehicles and curb aggressive driving behavior that is causing disruptive noise throughout the community.

Vehicle owners who modify their exhaust systems, have inadequate baffles, or intentionally cause the vehicles to be unnecessarily loud may be subject to a $162 fine.

To report a concern about a noisy vehicle, community members can submit a Traffic Tip online via the MHPS website or the MHPS mobile app. The MHPS mobile app is free to download and available for both Apple and android devices. Tipsters should be prepared to provide detailed information to the tip line including vehicle descriptions and license plates when possible.

Media Contact:

Sgt. Stacey Fishley
Traffic Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8471

The Medicine Hat Police Service is receiving reports that the “Grandparent Scam” is once again circulating in the Southern Alberta area.

In the typical scenario, a grandparent receives a phone call from a con artist pretending to be their grandchildren. The caller will sometime say that they are in trouble, usually a car accident, returning from a foreign country, or even in jail and need money immediately.

Unfortunately, victims do not verify the story until after the money has been sent as the caller specifically asks “Can you please help me? I'm in jail (or in the hospital / legal trouble or in some type of financial need). But don't tell Mom/Dad. They will kill me if they find out, please sent the money ASAP. I'm scared". Wanting to help their grandchild, the victim sends the money as requested.

Variations on the scam are an old neighbor, a friend of the family etc. but predominantly the emergency scam is directed towards seniors and grandparents.

If you or someone you know has received such a request for money, contact your family or the MHPS who can advise you further. If you have fallen victim to this scam, and have not already reported it, please contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481.

Media Contact:

Cst. Kurtis Ladouceur
Criminal Investigation Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-502-1188

Between February and April of 2024, the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) received 16 separate reports of theft from Canada Post community mailboxes located throughout the city.

During the evening of April 10, 2024, the MHPS received a report a theft in progress from a community mailbox and as a result, MHPS patrol officers attended to the area and located a female suspect leaving the scene. The woman was taken into custody and found to be in possession of break in tools as well as hundreds of items of mail.

The MHPS Criminal Investigation Section took over the investigation and searched a local residence as well as executed two search warrants on storage lockers within the city. Thousands of reported and unreported items of mail, both in letter and parcel form were recovered.

Following this investigation, Cassandra Chenoweth, 41-years-old, of Medicine Hat, AB has been charged with several mail / theft related offences. Chenoweth was held in custody for a Judicial Interm Release hearing and was released from custody. Chenoweth is scheduled to appear in Provincial Court on May 8, 2024.

The investigation is ongoing as MHPS investigators are now working closely with Canada Post Inspectors and its is expected further charges will be laid. Additionally with the assistance of Canada Post the recovered mail and packages will be returned to their intended recipients when they are no longer required for investigational purposes.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt. Jason Graham
Criminal Investigation Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421

In celebration of the 125^th Anniversary of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) a collection of “Cop Cards” are being released.

Thirty (30) MHPS Police and Peace Officers are participating in the program with each card containing a short biography of the officer and highlights a photograph selected by each individual member.

Throughout the history of the MHPS, cop cards have been created as a community engagement initiative with a goal to increase the approachability of officers and encourage interaction with members of the public. The last version of MHPS cop cards was distributed in 2010.

This time around, for the kids (and the young at heart), both printed and virtual versions of the cop cards are available to be collected. If a young person, under the age of 18 collects all thirty (30) cop cards, they will be eligible to win a reward from the Office of the Chief of Police.

Media Contact:

Al Murphy
Chief of Police
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416