ARTICLES

On May 27, 2019 at approximately 3:30 AM, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service, along with Emergency Medical Services personnel, responded to a report of an unconscious female who was located trapped in the opening of a charitable donation bin.

The 39-year-old female was unresponsive and determined to be deceased at the scene. The initial police investigation into the death has determined it to be accidental and the Alberta Coroners Office will continue the investigation to determine the exact cause of death.

The MHPS has reached out to local social service agencies, who work with vulnerable populations, to advise their clients of potential dangers associated with entering the charitable donation bins.

The MHPS offers condolences to the family of the deceased.

Media Contact:

Inspector Joe West
Operational Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) has created a quick reference guide highlighting important sections from both the Federal and Provincial legislation relating to cannabis.

Recreational cannabis use was legalized in Canada on October 17, 2018 when the Cannabis Act came into force. Provinces and territories were assigned the responsibility of establishing rules and regulations around how cannabis is stored, possession limits, minimum age and restricting where cannabis may be used in public. In Alberta, the Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis Act provides the laws relating to the consumption and transportation of cannabis.

Appreciating this legislation has been in place for less than one year, and that there are variations between provinces which can be confusing, the MHPS quick reference guide is intended to highlight some important components of the new law for residents of Medicine Hat.

“Since cannabis was legalized there have been minimal issues or concerns reported” says Inspector Joe West with the MHPS. “As cannabis becomes more commercially available using the guide will help clarify the legislation to avoid misunderstanding.”

To view the MHPS Quick Reference Guide click here.

Media Contact:
Insp Joe West
Operational Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

On May 21, 2019, at approximately 9:11 AM the Medicine Hat Police Service received a call from Crescent Heights High School (CHHS) regarding a suspicious package that was located by staff near a parking lot on campus. Police responded and confirmed that the device had the appearance of an Improvised Explosive Device. CHHS enacted a “Shelter in Place” protocol to assure the safety of students and nearby residents were asked to shelter in place as well. The MHPS Explosive Disposal Unit (EDU) responded to CHHS and rendered the device safe with use of the Remote Mobile Investigator.

The initial investigation has concluded that the device was not an explosive device and not capable of causing harm.

The Major Crimes Section has determined the origin of the device and will continue to investigate the intent of its placement but at this time do not believe there is any further safety concern to the community.

Media Contact:

Insp Joe West
Operational Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

On May 16, 2019, the Medicine Hat Police Service Priority Street Crime Team concluded an investigation that led to the arrest of a female from Medicine Hat who was in possession of approximately 85.2 grams of Cocaine and 28 grams of Fentanyl. Total street value of the drugs estimated at $23,000. Also a small sum of cash was seized from the accused.

Nicole HELLER, 36yrs old has been charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking X 3, Proceeds of Crime and Breach of Probation.

Heller has been remanded into custody with her next court appearance scheduled for May 23, 2019.

Media Contact

S/Sgt Brian Christmann
Community Safety Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-581-1056

The suspicious package found at Crescent Heights High School has been rendered inoperable by the MHPS Explosive Disposal Unit. A portion of parking lot will blocked off for further investigation. Shelter in place has been lifted.  Further details will be posted shortly Thank you everyone for your cooperation!

The Medicine Hat Police Service will deploy a new temporary uniformed Foot Patrol Unit in the downtown core this summer, to address public behaviour concerns and increase the feeling of safety for residents and businesses in the area.

Beginning in June 2019, the new unit will patrol an area including North Railway to 3^rd Avenue SE, River Road SE to the SE Hill, with specific attention on the downtown core. The unit will consist of four constables and a supervisor, redeployed from the Priority Street Crimes Unit, who will provide an increased police presence in the area and will enforce laws and bylaws to address nuisance/disrespectful behaviour, traffic and parking issues, while building relationships with those who frequent the area and enhancing partnerships with other community service providers.

The anticipated outcome of this temporary unit will be a reduction of crime and anti-social behaviour, increased feeling of safety and enhanced relationships with the Service. unit will be augmented by members of the MHPS High Visibility Response Team and will be deployed to the area until mid September, at which time the MHPS will evaluate the effectiveness and determine future needs.

Media Contact:
Insp. Joe West
Operational Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8410

The Medicine Hat Police Service Municipal Bylaw Section welcomes back Community Standards Assistants, Emilee Jackson and Taylor Vorra! Emilee and Taylor will once again be working with residents throughout the summer to address community standards concerns.

Their role will be to bring education and awareness to community neighborhoods and they will be sharing information about how to keep yards and alleys tidy and weeds under control. Along with attending to concerns identified by the public, Emilee and Taylor will also be visiting neighborhoods and working with property owners in an effort to maintain or improve the appearance of our neighborhoods.

If you see a property in our City that you feel would benefit from a visit from our Community Standards Assistants please call 403-529-8481 and they will be happy to help.

Media Contact:

Heather Trail
Supervisor
Municipal Bylaw Enforcement
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8436

The Medicine Hat Police Service is now accepting applications from individuals interested in participating in a Citizen’ 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, 2019 in the MHPS Community Boardroom and will run weekly on Wednesday evenings from 6pm to 9pm, for ten weeks. The final class will be held on November 13, 2019. 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.

Acknowledging the diversity of our community, and understanding that each sector of the community has its own unique policing needs, participants of the CPA will be selected to reflect the broadest possible range of individuals and efforts will be made to ensure a diverse class based on age, gender, ethnic or religious backgrounds. Participants who have an interest in police related issues or work alongside police are encouraged to apply. This includes; community leaders, police family members, members of the media and those interested in a career in law enforcement or future police volunteer opportunities. 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.

For those interested in learning more or applying to participate, Sgt. Mike Fischer, Facilitator of the CPA, will have a booth at the MHPS Open House held on Saturday, June 08 from 11 AM until 3:00 PM or click here for more info. The application deadline for Fall CPA 2019 session is June 26, 2019.

For more information contact:

Sgt. Mike Fischer
Citizen Police Academy Facilitator
Ph: 403-529-8451
Email: michael.fischer@mhps.ca

March is Fraud Prevention Month in Canada, a month-long crime prevention initiative aimed at educating and informing consumers and the community on how to recognize, report, and stop fraud. Throughout the month, the Medicine Hat Police Service Community Support Unit will be sharing information on how to recognize and prevent citizens from becoming victims of common frauds and scams. This week’s focus is on investment style scams.

Investment scams can happen in person, over the phone, online, or through mail. Often the intent is to get someone to invest their money into an established industry, newly emerging sector, or any other type of opportunity. Once the money is obtained, it is not invested as promised and kept by the person that it was provided to.

Ponzi schemes are based on investments that don’t exist.  Early investors are paid some of the money provided by later investors until there are no new investors and the scheme ends.  Typically, these are created by people offering high returns on money with low risks. The pyramid scheme often requests investors to find other investors and get them to invest as well.  This keeps the scheme going for longer.  Remember that when things seem too good to be true, they likely are. 

Crypto currency investments are also risky and are uncontrolled by governments and banks.  Once money is deposited into another person’s digital wallet, the ability to return the funds or have a successful criminal investigation is very low.

Some tips to protect your money from these types of frauds are:

• Ask questions. If you weren’t satisfied with the answers, keep asking.
• Always be suspicious of high-pressure sales tactics.
• Investment decisions take time and consideration, don’t let someone rush you.
• Appearances and charisma are assistants to fraudsters. Pay attention to the situation and not as much as the person selling it.
• Always seek advice from professionals.  Whether it be a lawyer, an accountant, or investment professionals.
• Never accept a verbal agreement; always get it in writing and keep it handy.
• Visit the Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) Investor Alerts to stay up to date on the latest investor alerts and notices.
• In order to legally sell securities in Alberta, an individual must be registered with ASC (with very limited exceptions).

To protect against these common frauds, it is important to remain vigilant and NEVER provide personal or financial information over the phone.

To keep yourself in the loop about Fraud Prevention Month activities occurring provincially, follow the hashtag #FPM2025 on social media or visit the Alberta Community Crime Prevention Association website at https://www.albertacrimeprevention.com/fraud-prevention-month/

For more information about frauds and scams visit the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre at http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/index-eng.htm.

Media Contact:

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

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