ARTICLES

On May 8, 2020 members of the Medicine Hat Police attended to a residence on McCutcheon Drive for a Mental Health related complaint involving a 24 year old male. Police Officers attempted to negotiate with the male and were required to apprehend him under the Mental Health Act for his own safety and the safety of others, as the male refused to voluntarily obtain assistance for his complex needs.

As the officers attempted to arrest the subject, he attempted to flee the scene. The officers then prevented the escape of the subject at which time the subject assaulted a police officer, by head-butting him and biting him. The members at scene were then forced to deployed O/C spray, an intermediate weapon to control the subject and were able to take the subject into custody.

The subject will be charged with Assaulting a Police Officer, and Resisting Arrest. The male, who will not be named, will be taken to the Medicine Hat Hospital for medical treatment pertaining to ongoing mental health concerns. The officer involved in the incident received minor injuries.

Several agencies within the City of Medicine Hat provide mental health services during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you or someone known to you are experiencing increasing mental health concerns please contact:

Alberta Health Services Addictions and Mental Health 403-529-3500 or the Provincial website at https://www.albertahealthservices.ca/amh/Page16759.aspx

or

The Canadian Mental Health Association at 403-504-1811

Media Contact:

Staff Sergeant Jason Graham

Patrol Team Supervisor

Medicine Hat Police Service

Ph: 403-529-8461

Update on missing Medicine Hat man MHPS file 20-9536

Kory George, has been located and is safe! The MHPS would like to thank the community for sharing the post and for the tips received.

ALERT seized a loaded handgun during the arrest of a suspected drug dealer. In addition to the firearm, methamphetamine, fentanyl, and cocaine were seized.

The drug seizure took place on May 1, 2020, in Bassano, Alta. ALERT’s Medicine Hat organized crime team conducted a planned vehicle stop on a group suspected of supplying drugs to the Medicine Hat area.

Medicine Hat Police, Bassano RCMP, and Calgary Police assisted with the short-term investigation.

“Taking a firearm out of the hands of a suspected drug dealer only serves to enhance public safety,” said Insp. Sean Boser, ALERT Regional teams.

Three Calgary suspects were arrested. A search of the vehicle yielded an estimated $35,000 worth of drugs, including:

• 235 grams of methamphetamine;
• 78 grams of fentanyl;
• 9 grams of cocaine; and
• $800 cash.

One of the suspects, Robert Jones, was in possession of a loaded handgun. The 53-year-old man faces numerous firearms-related offences, in addition to drug and breach charges.

Two of his associates were arrested and charged with drug offences: Deborah McIntosh, a 52-year-old woman from Calgary, and Gerald Wright, a 42-year-old man from Calgary.

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. Medicine Hat residents can also submit tips anonymously through the Medicine Hat Police Service mobile app, which is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

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 Contact:

Staff Sgt. Kelsey Fraser
Medicine Hat Organized Crime Team
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Ph: 403-529-8425

The Medicine Hat Police Service is seeking the assistance of the public to locate 49-year-old, Kory George, who was reported missing on May 6, 2020. Kory might be seen driving his 2014 red Ford Explorer with Alberta licence plate BHS7702 and he may have been travelling to either the Strathmore, AB or Moyie, B.C. area. Kory is described as approximately 5'9" tall (182cm) and 220lbs (100kg) with brown hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information that could assist in locating Kory George can contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481.

On May 5, 2020, at approximately 9:15 pm, Medicine Hat 911 Communications received a report from a male in St. Louis, Missouri that a manifesto had been posted to the internet platform Reddit, which contained threats to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. As a result, the hospital was placed on lockdown.

Medicine Hat Police Service investigators began tracing the origin of the online threat. It was determined that a 12-year-old male, who has ties to Medicine Hat, but no longer living here, had been online gaming with persons unknown from different parts of North America. One of the other players became angry and stated that they were going to “swat” the young player.

Swatting is the action or practice of making a prank call to emergency services in an attempt to bring about the dispatch of a large number of armed police officers to a particular address. It is sometimes connected to online video gamers, used as a punishment or retaliation for losing, by someone who wants to frighten, upset, or cause problems for that person.

Police completed an Emergency Disclosure Request to trace the IP address associated with the threat and determined the origin of the message to be from the Seattle, Washington area, eliminating the male youth as the suspect and making him another victim of this offence.

Once it was determined there was no credible threat to the hospital, the lockdown was lifted. With the assistance of the of the online platform administrators the account and threats were removed from the website.

Police are urging parents to speak to their children about the dangers of online multiplayer gaming including the importance of:

• Asking for permission before using new apps/games
• Not responding to or clicking on messages or links from someone they don’t know
• Telling parents if they come across something or someone online who makes them feel uncomfortable
• Not accepting requests from another gamer to chat on another site

Media Contact:

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

Between May 1 and May 4, 2020 members of the MHPS and Bylaw Enforcement Section have attended to twenty-seven (27) noise complaints within the City of Medicine Hat. The majority of these noise complaints were in relation to outdoor activities with loud music.

The MHPS would like to remind the community of the community noise bylaw #4353. The objective or purpose of the noise bylaw is to encourage good neighbor behavior while establishing the communities’ expectation regarding noise within the City of Medicine Hat.

Some very important definitions guide efforts to determine reasonable noise. Daytime is the hours between 7 am and 10 pm during the week and 9 am to 10 pm during the weekends or holidays. Nighttime is the hours between 10 pm to 7 am during the week and 10 pm to 9 am on weekends or holidays.

The tolerance for noise is lower during the nighttime hours as the acceptable level of noise does drop from 65 decibels for daytime noise to 50 decibels. An objective approach can be used by noise level measurements if required.

As a general rule, the City of Medicine Hat takes a subjective approach to noise as noise at any time that disturbs the peace of another, can be an offence. Many factors will come into consideration such as but not limited to:

• • Type of noise, duration, purpose
  • Time and day of week
  • Nature and use of surrounding area
  • Sound level if measured
  • Any other relevant factor

If have questions or concerns contact the MHPS non-emergency line at 403-529-8481.

Media Contact:

Heather Trail

Supervisor of Municipal Enforcement

Medicine Hat Police Service

Ph: 403-529-8436

Over the past weekend, May 1^st to 3rd, 2020, several tickets were issued for speeding. In certain cases drivers were observed operating their vehicles at excessive speeds, nearly double or over double, the posted speed limit. These speeds included the following:

• 97 kph in a 50 kph zone
• 96 kph in a 50 kph zone and
• 65 kph in a 30 kph zone.

Motorists are reminded that all roads within the City of Medicine Hat have a 50kmh speed limit, unless otherwise posted, and 30kmh playground zones are in effect from 7:30am to 9:00pm daily. Also, motorists must slow to 60kmh or the posted speed limit, whichever is lower, when passing emergency vehicles or tow trucks that are stopped on the side of the highway. Roadside issued fines for speeding range from $78 to $474 and include demerits ranging from 2 to 6 points. Offences for speeding 50kmh over the posted limit will result in the offender being compelled to court to face substantial fines and a driver’s licence suspension. Fines for speeding past emergency vehicles or in construction zones are doubled.

Speed is one of the main contributors to serious injury and fatality collisions with nearly 1 in 4 collisions in Alberta involving motorist who are driving too fast. The MHPS reminds to public to stay safe and obey the posted speed limits.

Media contact:

Sgt. Gerald Sadlemyer
Traffic Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph;403-529-8471

Following a four-month investigation ALERT has seized 1.7 kilograms of methamphetamine in Medicine Hat. The seizure is believed to be the city’s largest.

ALERT’s Medicine Hat organized crime team concluded its investigation on April 28, 2020, with the help of Medicine Hat Police Service, Calgary Police Service, and the RCMP. Two suspects have been arrested.

“We know this region has been impacted by meth and its associated crimes such as thefts, break-ins, and violence-related occurrences. Police agencies are working together to disrupt these large drug trafficking networks and keep the community safe,” said Supt. Dwayne Lakusta, ALERT Chief Executive Officer.

The estimated street value of the Medicine Hat bust is pegged $127,000. In addition to 1.7 kilograms of meth, 20 grams of cocaine was also seized.

Since April 2017 ALERT teams across the province have seized approximately 67 kilograms of meth. Of that total, approximately seven kilograms of meth was seized in the Medicine Hat area.

The most recent Medicine Hat meth seizure came as the result of an investigation that began in January 2020. ALERT received information about a Calgary-based suspect, who was supplying large amounts of methamphetamine and cocaine into the city.

Amanda Montgomery, a 48-year-old woman from Calgary, and Keith McVittie, a 50-year-old man from Calgary, were charged with multiple drug-related offences.

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.

Media Contact:

Staff Sgt. Kelsey Fraser
Medicine Hat Organized Crime Team
Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Ph: 403-529-8425

Weapons Complaint Update

MHPS File 20-8623

UPDATE to High Risk Incident:

On April 25^th, at approximately 0830hrs members of MHPS Patrol section responded to a weapons complaint in the 2300 block of Hatcher Drive NE. Police investigation revealed that there was no threat or risk to the public. Police have cleared the scene and residents in the area have been notified of the update to the call. MHPS would like to thank the public for their cooperation and patience during this call.

Patrol Staff Sergeant

On April 23, 2020, at approximately 2:30 PM a 14-year-old female was walking in the 800 block of 5^th Street SE when she was approached by a lone male driving an older model, black GMC / Chevrolet four door pickup truck. The male pulled up beside the young female, rolled down the passenger window and asked her if she wanted a drink. The male was persistent, continued to speak to the female, and circled the block several times until the female called police on her cell phone.

The male is described as a Hispanic male in his late 30’s to early 40’s with brown, short hair and a goatee. The male was further described to have a stocky build, with broad shoulders, and wet hair or hair with gel in it and deeper pores on his face.

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to contact the Medicine Hat Police Service at 403-529-8481 or submit a tip via the MHPS App or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Ryan Thorburn
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph 403-529-8461