The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) in collaboration with Community Housing and the City of Medicine Hat Parks and Recreation Department is announcing a new collaborative effort to reduce homeless encampments found within areas of the City, and increase awareness of local housing programs. The ultimate goal of the program is to ensure that all parks and open spaces within the community are enjoyable for everyone.

The program will consist of members of the Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Section, Community Housing Outreach workers and Parks and Recreation, pro-actively searching areas of the City, and identifying homeless encampments. Once identified, occupants of homeless encampments will be provided with information on the City’s housing programs and be removed from the location. One of the goals of the team members will be to provide information and only rely on enforcement measures when necessary.

In order to ensure that homeless encampments are properly identified, the MHPS is requesting that the public contact the Police Service non-emergency line to report all homeless encampments at 403-529-8481 or on the MHPS Mobile App. This consistency in reporting will ensure that all identified locations are dealt with in a consistent manner.

Media Contact:

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

or

Jamie Rogers
Manager
Homeless & Housing Development Dept.
Ph: 403-928-1714