ARTICLES

During the evening of April 19, 2020 members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to an report of a break and enter in progress to a residence located in the 500 block of 9 Street SW. The homeowner, who was present at the time, called police after finding one of the suspects trying to gain access to the home through a window. Police immediately attended to the scene, and after conducting an area search, located two suspects, a 36 year old male and a 21 year old female, who were arrested and charged following an investigation. The names of the individuals cannot be released at this time, pending the charges being sworn in Provincial Court.

Residents are reminded to report crimes in progress to police by calling 911. Non emergencies can be reported by calling 403-529-8481 or through submitting a report online via the MHPS website at www.mhps.ca or through 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 Jason Graham
Patrols Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

On April 16, 2020, the Medicine Hat Police Service was notified of a potentially suicidal male operating a motor vehicle that possibly had a firearm. With a description of the vehicle, Patrols members were able to locate the subject and conduct a vehicle stop. As the driver showed signs of impairment an impaired driving investigation was initiated and the male was transported to MHPS where two breath samples were obtained. Resulting from this investigation the 56-year-old male was charged with:

• Impaired driving and exceed .08
• Two counts of Driving while Prohibited
• Three counts of Breach of Probation
• Three counts of Breach of Recognizance

The accused was released with a court appearance scheduled for July 22, 2020. No firearms were located in the accused’s vehicle.

Impaired driving continues to be a major contributing factor in fatal and serious injuries in Alberta. On average, 6,000 people were convicted of impaired driving in Alberta each year for the last five years. And from 2008-2016, 574 people died and nearly 8,000 people were injured as a result of alcohol- or drug-impaired driving.

Impaired Driving Laws:

• Having a BAC of 0.08 or over within two hours of driving is a criminal offence.

• In Alberta, and in most other Canadian jurisdictions, a driver with a BAC between 0.05 and 0.079 may face provincial consequences through the Immediate Roadside Suspension Program.

• Cannabis limits are measured using nanograms of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in blood.

• There are criminal penalties for cannabis when a driver has over 2 ng/ml but less that 5ng/ml of THC in blood and when a driver has 5 ng/ml or more THC in blood.

• There are also criminal penalties for combined drug and alcohol impairment when a driver has 2.5 ng/ml or more THC combined with 50 mg/100ml or more alcohol in their blood.

To report an impaired driver, call 9-1-1.

Media Contact:

Staff Sergeant Humphries
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8461

On April 16, 2020 members of Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a report of a break and enter to a business located in the 400 Block of 3^rd Street SE, Medicine Hat. Several items were reported to be stolen including electronic equipment and knives with an estimated value of $1,500.

Following an investigation 20 year old male suspect from Calgary, AB was arrested and charged with:

• Break and Enter to a Business
• Theft Under $5,000
• Breach of Probation x 2
• Breach of Recognizance x 6

The MHPS remains diligent in checking business and residential areas for property offenders during the Covid-19 pandemic. Anyone with information regarding any criminal activity is asked to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or submit a report online via the MHPS website at www.mhps.ca or through 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.

On April 13, 2020, at approximately 0710 hours a male attended to the front counter of the Medicine Hat Police Service. The male was in obvious distress and advised police that he was going to kill himself. The male then brandished a small hunting knife. Several police officers attended the reception area to confront the male and after a short negotiation the male surrendered himself to police. The male was taken into custody and transported to the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital for a Mental Health assessment. No one was injured during this incident.  

The Public is reminded that there are mental Health professionals still available during the Covid-19 crisis, and should contact the appropriate organizations if required. 

On April 13, 2020, at approximately 0620 hours Medicine Hat 911 Communications received a complaint that a vehicle had just been stolen from a residence on Woodman Avenue SE. Patrol members attended to the area and located the vehicle a short distance away, in motion, and being driven toward a dead end cul-de-sac. Police officers followed but before a vehicle stop could be initiated the driver did a U-turn and began to flee the area. The unknown driver rammed the approaching police cruiser to facilitate their escape causing considerable vehicle damage. No police officers were injured as a result of this incident.

The stolen vehicle was last seen leaving the city Eastbound on Highway 41A. The vehicle was described as a mid-90’s White Ford F250 Regular Cab with a full box canopy and bearing Saskatchewan Licence Plate 162 JSB. The MHPS would like to speak to any witnesses who may have further information or may have observed this incident and ask that they contact police at (403)529-8481. If this vehicle is located please do not approach and contact police immediately.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Ryan Thorburn

Patrol Section

Medicine Hat Police Service

PH: 403-529-8481

The Medicine Hat Police Service Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Section has noted a concerning trend involving aggressive dog complaints. Since April 1 2020 there have been six aggressive dog complaints received, with five confirmed bites involving persons or other animals. Of the six complaints:

• Three occurred in a residential area and three occurred in a park, both in on-leash and off-leash areas;
• All of the dogs who were victims of an attack were on leash;
• The persons injured were interjecting in the attack or simply riding a bike;
• Consistent in all of the attacks is that the owner of the offending dogs were not in control.

The frequency of aggressive dog complaint reported in the month of April has increased by 50 percent as compared to historical data. This increase is believed to be related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting increase in use of path and park areas and due to dogs who are not used to being socialized now interacting with other animals and pedestrians.

As a reminder to the public, The City of Medicine Hat Responsible Animal Ownership bylaw 3935 states:

DOGS IN OFF LEASH AREAS AND PARKS

No Owner may exercise a dog in an off-leash area while not restrained by

a Leash unless:

• the dog is under the control of a person at least eighteen (18) years

of age;

• While in an off-leash area, a person shall use the land in accordance with

any sign or signs which have been posted setting out the days, times and

manner in which a person is permitted to use the off-leash area.

THREATENING OR NUISANCE BEHAVIOURS

Any Owner of an Animal which:

• bites or chases a person or other animal;
• bites or chases any motor vehicle or bicycle;
• barks, howls or otherwise comports itself in such a fashion as to
• disturb any person, or in the opinion of a Bylaw Enforcement Officer

is likely to disturb any person;

• barks, howls or otherwise comports itself in such fashion as to alarm
• or cause any person to fear for their physical safety;
• bites a person causing a Severe Injury;
• causes the death of another Animal;
• causes any damage whatsoever to any property or any injury
• whatsoever to any person or other Animal;
• is at any time within the floral area of any Park or disturbs or destroys

any vegetation or Animal habitat in any Park;

• is at any time upon any cemetery property within the City;
• is at any time upon any property where the Animal is prohibited as
• indicated by a sign or other marking; or
• is guilty of an offence.

VICIOUS DOGS

If a Bylaw Enforcement Officer believes on reasonable and probable

grounds that a dog has:

• chased, injured or bitten a person or other Animal;
• damaged or destroyed any property;
• threatened or created the reasonable apprehension of a threat to a
• person or other animal;
• the Bylaw Enforcement Officer may seize and impound the dog at the Animal Control Shelter.

The Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Section will be increasing patrols of city parks and trails, as well as both on-leash and off-leash areas. Any complaints or concerns regarding. Should be directed to the Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Section, by calling 403-529-8481.

https://www.medicinehat.ca/government/bylaws/bylaws-in-force

Media Contact:

Heather Trail

Municipal Bylaw Enforcement Supervisor
Medicine Hat Police Service

Ph: 403-529-8436

MHPS and Fire Service are currently on scene at a vehicle fire on the 200 block of Ross Glen Drive South East. Please avoid the area until such time as emergency crews have the scene safe and contained.

Patrol Staff Sergeant

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

On April 6, 2020, at approximately 6:20 PM members of the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to a report of a male with a firearm in Police Point park. An employee of the Nature Centre was advised by two people who were just walking out of the park that they saw a male who was trying to hide a firearm under his jacket.

Police attended, cordoned off the area, and evacuated the park. While evacuating the park other witnesses advised police that they had also observed a male with a firearm. Due to the elevated threat level, members of the Tactical Team utilized the Armoured Rescue Vehicle (ARV) and a drone to assist in searching the area for the male subject.

After an extensive search the male was located in a tent near the river bed. The male was cooperative and surrendered to police without incident. An initial search of the area revealed some loaded and spent ammunition as well as illegal drugs.

The 26-year-old male is held in custody and is facing a number of criminal charges. The matter is still under investigation.

The park is open to the public, however police officers will be in the area conducting a search. The MHPS would like to speak to witnesses who observed the male with the firearm and ask that they contact police at (403)529-8481.

Media Contact:

S/Sgt Rod Thompson
Patrol Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
PH: 403-529-8416

Members of the MHPS have recently cleared and reopened Police Point Park. Police have arrested one person in relation to this event; however, further investigation is ongoing.  More information regarding this incident will be released on the morning of April 7, 2020.

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Members of the Medicine Hat Police Service are responding to a high risk incident in Police Point Park and are asking for residents to avoid the area until further notice.