ARTICLES

The Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Section of the Medicine Hat Police Service will be focusing on Parking at and near Schools during the month of September.

With the start of the new school year will come some parking problems around many schools. People living near schools often find their driveways and alleys obstructed and in addition, school bus zones are often filled with student and parent vehicles.

City of Medicine Hat Public Roads Bylaw #4346 allows for parking in alleys for a maximum of 30 minutes for the purposes of loading and unloading passengers providing that the vehicle does not obstruct the use of the alley by pedestrians or other vehicles. In addition, parking in a designated school bus zone is a violation for the times posted at the schools.

It is also important to park on the public roadways only and avoid parking on private property near the school unless you have permission from the property owner. Many of the schools have parking lots that are designated for staff only or are adjacent to other private properties that have parking lots that are monitored.

Around many of the schools are clearly marked “NO PARKING” zones that should be adhered to at all times. These zones are placed to allow for the visibility and safety of all children around the schools.

Bylaw #4346 also prohibits parking within 1.5 meters of a driveway or other vehicle crossing over a sidewalk. In addition, parking within 5 meters of Stop or Yield Sign, a Marked Crosswalk or a Fire Hydrant is prohibited.

By obeying these parking laws, we can all contribute to a safe community and make sure that all the children coming and going to school can do so in safety.

Violators could be fined as well as have their vehicles towed. Fines for parking violations start at $50.00. To report a concern call 403-529-8481.

Have a great school year everyone and stay safe!

For more information contact:

Colin Heyens
Acting Supervisor,
Municipal Bylaw Enforcement
Ph: 403-529-8436

On the early morning of August 18, 2021, the Medicine Hat Police Service received a complaint of a stolen 2014 Dodge 3500 Ram truck.  Later this same day at about 7:30 pm MHPS patrol officers located the same stolen vehicle as it was being driven by a male.  Shortly thereafter the truck was abandoned and the male suspect fled on foot.  Police containment was immediately established and the male was quickly apprehended hiding in the backyard of a residence.

As a result, a 32-year-old Lethbridge male has been charged with the following offences and is currently being held for a Judicial Interim Release Hearing;

• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle,
• Flight from police officer,
• Possession of stolen property over $5000
• Possession of stolen property under $5000

The MHPS would like to remind the public to secure vehicles when not in use and never to leave ignition keys or valuables within vehicles. 

On the early morning of August 18, 2021, the Medicine Hat Police Service received a complaint of a stolen 2014 Dodge 3500 Ram truck.  Later this same day at about 7:30 pm MHPS patrol officers located the same stolen vehicle as it was being driven by a male.  Shortly thereafter the truck was abandoned and the male suspect fled on foot.  Police containment was immediately established and the male was quickly apprehended hiding in the backyard of a residence.

As a result, a 32-year-old Lethbridge male has been charged with the following offences and is currently being held for a Judicial Interim Release Hearing;

• Dangerous operation of a motor vehicle,
• Flight from police officer,
• Possession of stolen property over $5000
• Possession of stolen property under $5000

The MHPS would like to remind the public to secure vehicles when not in use and never to leave ignition keys or valuables within vehicles. 

Media Contact:
S/Sgt Jason Graham
403-529-8410

The Medicine Hat Police Service has noted a recent trend of vehicle entries throughout the City.  All of the entries have occurred to vehicles which have been unlocked and have contained valuables such as keys, credit cards and cash money.  

The Police Service is requesting the publics’ assistance in these matters by ensuring vehicles are locked and all valuables are removed or secured, and any suspicious activity is reported to the Police Service immediately.

In response to this trend, the Police Service will augment resource deployment; with the aim to identify offenders and hold them accountable for any illegal activities.

Anyone with information that could assist with this investigation is asked to contact the Medicine Hat Police Service at 403-529-8481. Tips may also be submitted 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.

The Medicine Hat Police Service has noted a recent trend of vehicle entries throughout the City.  All of the entries have occurred to vehicles which have been unlocked and have contained valuables such as keys, credit cards and cash money.  

The Police Service is requesting the publics’ assistance in these matters by ensuring vehicles are locked and all valuables are removed or secured, and any suspicious activity is reported to the Police Service immediately.

In response to this trend, the Police Service will augment resource deployment; with the aim to identify offenders and hold them accountable for any illegal activities.

Anyone with information that could assist with this investigation is asked to contact the Medicine Hat Police Service at 403-529-8481. Tips may also be submitted 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

Patrol Section

Medicine Hat Police service

Ph: 403-529-8481

Nearly one million dollars’ worth of stolen property has been recovered following an extensive investigation into stolen holiday trailers and campers. ALERT’s Southeast Alberta Property Crime unit has charged two Medicine Hat men.

Following a three-month investigation, ALERT has recovered 13 stolen holiday travel trailers, and other stolen vehicles and property, worth an estimated $970,000. The other stolen property included a sports car, recreational vehicles, motorbikes, tools, and various vehicle parts.

“This was a complex, coordinated scheme that undoubtedly ruined many family’s summer vacation plans. However, the impact of organized crime extends beyond the victim, and is a cost that society collectively bears,” said Supt. Dwayne Lakusta, ALERT CEO.

ALERT alleges two Medicine Hat men were involved in the thefts, and fraudulently re-vinned the trailers before being re-sold. A search of one of the suspect’s homes yielded materials for making fraudulent VIN stickers.

“Vehicle theft is a serious issue that affects us all through higher insurance premiums and can also be a risk to personal safety. Insurance Bureau of Canada is pleased to have been involved in this investigation and we congratulate ALERT for their success in recovering the stolen property,” said Sid Kingma, Director, Investigative Services, Western and Pacific Region, IBC.

Nathan Herter, 36-year-old man, was arrested in Medicine Hat on June 18, 2021 and charged with theft over $5,000, possession of break and enter tools, suspended driving, and possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.

Mathew Hillier, a 36-year-old man, was arrested in Hope, BC on June 29, 2021 and charged with theft over $5,000 and possession of stolen property.

The thefts date as far back as December 2020 and spread across the westernmost provinces. ALERT’s investigation relied on the assistance of Service Alberta, Insurance Bureau of Canada, Medicine Hat Police, and various RCMP detachments.

ALERT continues to investigate and is not ruling out additional charges.

To date, ALERT has recovered:

• Elevation trailer stolen in Redcliff and recovered in Sylvan Lake;
• Keystone camper stolen in Dunmore and recovered in Lacombe County;
• Reflection camper stolen in Lacombe and recovered in Hope, BC;
• Cargo trailer stolen in Medicine Hat and recovered in Hope, BC;
• Cargo trailer stolen in Redcliff and recovered in Hope, BC;
• Keystone camper stolen in Medicine Hat and recovered in Tompkins, Sask.;
• Jayco camper stolen in Red Deer and recovered in Cypress County;
• Keystone trailer stolen in Medicine Hat and recovered in Langdon;
• Dutchman trailer stolen in Dunmore and recovered in Kelowna;
• Keystone camper stolen in Strathmore and recovered in County of Forty Mile;
• Sunvalley camper stolen in Lethbridge and recovered in Kelowna;
• Palamino trailer stolen in Regina, Sask. And recovered in Cypress County;
• Cargo trailer stolen in Lacombe and recovered in Brock, Sask.;
• Cargo trailer stolen in Drumheller and recovered in Brock, Sask;
• Keystone trailer stolen in Swift Current, Sask. and recovered in Calgary;
• Keystone camper stolen in Lacombe and recovered in Brock, Sask; and
• Mirage trailer stolen in Medicine Hat and recovered in Brock, Sask.

A number of trailers were purchased at steep discounts, and already in the possession of a third-party.

ALERT believes there are still numerous stolen trailers outstanding and the investigation is ongoing. If you believe you may have unknowingly purchased a stolen trailer, you can contact ALERT’s Southeast Alberta Regional Property Crime unit at 403-529-8481.

Members of the public 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.

Nearly one million dollars’ worth of stolen property has been recovered following an extensive investigation into stolen holiday trailers and campers. ALERT’s Southeast Alberta Property Crime unit has charged two Medicine Hat men.
 
Following a three-month investigation, ALERT has recovered 13 stolen holiday travel trailers, and other stolen vehicles and property, worth an estimated $970,000. The other stolen property included a sports car, recreational vehicles, motorbikes, tools, and various vehicle parts.
 
“This was a complex, coordinated scheme that undoubtedly ruined many family’s summer vacation plans. However, the impact of organized crime extends beyond the victim, and is a cost that society collectively bears,” said Supt. Dwayne Lakusta, ALERT CEO.
 
ALERT alleges two Medicine Hat men were involved in the thefts, and fraudulently re-vinned the trailers before being re-sold. A search of one of the suspect’s homes yielded materials for making fraudulent VIN stickers.
 
“Vehicle theft is a serious issue that affects us all through higher insurance premiums and can also be a risk to personal safety. Insurance Bureau of Canada is pleased to have been involved in this investigation and we congratulate ALERT for their success in recovering the stolen property,” said Sid Kingma, Director, Investigative Services, Western and Pacific Region, IBC.
 
Nathan Herter, 36-year-old man, was arrested in Medicine Hat on June 18, 2021 and charged with theft over $5,000, possession of break and enter tools, suspended driving, and possession of drugs for the purpose of trafficking.
 
Mathew Hillier, a 36-year-old man, was arrested in Hope, BC on June 29, 2021 and charged with theft over $5,000 and possession of stolen property.
 
The thefts date as far back as December 2020 and spread across the westernmost provinces. ALERT’s investigation relied on the assistance of Service Alberta, Insurance Bureau of Canada, Medicine Hat Police, and various RCMP detachments.
 
ALERT continues to investigate and is not ruling out additional charges.
 
To date, ALERT has recovered:

• Elevation trailer stolen in Redcliff and recovered in Sylvan Lake;
• Keystone camper stolen in Dunmore and recovered in Lacombe County;
• Reflection camper stolen in Lacombe and recovered in Hope, BC;
• Cargo trailer stolen in Medicine Hat and recovered in Hope, BC;
• Cargo trailer stolen in Redcliff and recovered in Hope, BC;
• Keystone camper stolen in Medicine Hat and recovered in Tompkins, Sask.;
• Jayco camper stolen in Red Deer and recovered in Cypress County;
• Keystone trailer stolen in Medicine Hat and recovered in Langdon;
• Dutchman trailer stolen in Dunmore and recovered in Kelowna;
• Keystone camper stolen in Strathmore and recovered in County of Forty Mile;
• Sunvalley camper stolen in Lethbridge and recovered in Kelowna;
• Palamino trailer stolen in Regina, Sask. And recovered in Cypress County;
• Cargo trailer stolen in Lacombe and recovered in Brock, Sask.;
• Cargo trailer stolen in Drumheller and recovered in Brock, Sask;
• Keystone trailer stolen in Swift Current, Sask. and recovered in Calgary;
• Keystone camper stolen in Lacombe and recovered in Brock, Sask; and
• Mirage trailer stolen in Medicine Hat and recovered in Brock, Sask.

 
A number of trailers were purchased at steep discounts, and already in the possession of a third-party.
 
ALERT believes there are still numerous stolen trailers outstanding and the investigation is ongoing. If you believe you may have unknowingly purchased a stolen trailer, you can contact ALERT’s Southeast Alberta Regional Property Crime unit at 403-529-8481.
 
Members of the public 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.

Despite existing law, and education and awareness efforts, impaired driving continues to be a leading criminal cause of death in Canada, claiming hundreds of lives and causing tens of thousands of injuries each year.

In recent years there have been two important changes to legislation that attempt to eliminate impaired driving offences by providing police and prosecution with improved investigative powers to detect and prosecute those who choose to drive impaired.

On December 18, 2018, part two of federal legislation Bill-C46 came into effect, which introduced substantial changes to criminal code driving laws. The most impactful change with Bill-C46 was under section 320.27(2) CC and is referred to as Mandatory Alcohol Screening (MAS). This section allows police who are equipped with alcohol screening devices, to conduct a roadside screening breath test for alcohol impairment with any motorist at the beginning of each traffic stop, whether they suspect the motorist has consumed alcohol or not.

MAS is widely recognized as an effective anti-impaired driving measure. In use for over four decades, it has been attributed to reducing fatal motor vehicle collisions, by as much as 25%, in countries such as Ireland and Australia.

The test is non-discriminatory and is very quick, taking less than a minute, to complete. Officers open a new mouthpiece in front of the driver each time the test is administered, and all equipment is sanitized between each vehicle stop.

A second important legislative change came into effect in Alberta on December 1, 2020, when Bill 21, The Provincial Administrative Penalties Act came into force. As an additional deterrent for impaired driving, under the new legislation immediate roadside penalties were introduced including escalating driver’s licence suspensions, fines, vehicle seizure lengths, mandatory education programs and an expanded ignition interlock program.

For more information on these impaired driving legislative changes visit: https://www.alberta.ca/criminal-level-impaired-driving.aspx

Drive safe Medicine Hat!

Media Contact:

Rita Sittler
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8416

Emergency Crews are on the scene of a train derailment at Rotary Centennial Dr NW (23 St NW) and Box Springs Rd NW., Medicine Hat. The matter appears minor in nature and there were no injuries as a result.

Please avoid the area and allow our crews to work.

The Canadian Pacific Railroad or the Canadian Pacific Police Service will be the point of contact for any future media inquires

Crime prevention initiatives are focused on reducing the amount of petty crime through preventative measures and increasing vigilance/awareness of our environments. By sharing information with community members and working with local neighborhood watch groups around the city, the Medicine Hat Police Service strives to tap into the collective resources of our community to stop thieves.

To assist with this goal, Cst. Williams of the MHPS Patrol Section has prepared some information on how community members can help, including; when to call the police and how to provide a description of a subject.

When to call the police:

Police should be called whenever there is a concern for public safety. Call 9-1-1 in an emergency situation, including crimes in progress, or 403-529-8481 for all other non-emergencies. If an offence is witnessed while it is being committed, the quicker you call, the better chance police officers have of catching the suspects. At NO time should a member of the public engage with a suspect(s), for obvious safety reasons. Be aware, if a significant incident has taken place, officers may need to contain the situation before follow-up statements are obtained from witnesses, but they will reach out to you.

How to provide a description of a suspect:

A simple, easy to remember and effective method of providing a description of a person is known as the A-to-H method:

A = AGE, try to estimate age in 5-year segments, for example 40-45 years old etc

B = BUILD, describe the build as; stocky, muscular, skinny, as weight can be difficult to estimate, especially depending on the time of year and clothing worn

C = CLOTHING, describe the type of clothing worn, including color, and any descriptive details such as badges or logos which are always helpful

D = DISTINGUISHING FEATURES – tattoos’, piercings, basically anything that makes a person standout in a crowd

E = ELEVATION (height) – again can be difficult to determine accurately, but try to bracket the height, for example 5’6” to 5’9”, and compare to things that you know the height of or that could be measured

F = FACE – describe the face shape or characteristics, such as round, acne, beard, fat, thin, etc

G = GAIT (how they walk) some people have a distinct way of walking, including a shuffle or limp, etc

H = HAIR, color, length, style etc

Providing detailed information will help police track down subjects. You may only get a short glimpse of the suspect, so knowing what details to look for can help you to provide the most useful information. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and video is even better, so if you have footage of the person or event, please advise the dispatcher right away when calling in so that information can be passed along to the attending officers.

Next week we will look at some methods of protecting property, by recording items etc. Until then stay safe Medicine Hat!