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Structure Fire

The Medicine Hat Police along with other emergency personnel are currently on the scene of a structure fire in the 200 block of Ross Glen Drive SE.  Please avoid the area if possible

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Motor Vehicle Collision

On the morning of March 13th at approximately 12:30 am members of the Medicine Hat Police Service along with other emergency personnel attended to the 500 block of Maple Avenue Southeast for a report of a motor vehicle collision.  The investigation uncovered that a single vehicle travelling northbound at a high rate of speed lost control, left the roadway and struck three residential homes.  As a result, a Medicine Hat male has been charged with Dangerous Operation of a Motor Vehicle.  No serious injuries were sustained and the total estimated damages are about $100,000.

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International Women’s Day

Today is International Women’s Day, a day that marks a call for a gender equal world - free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination and one that is diverse, equitable, inclusive where differences are valued and celebrated. The men and women of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) stand together, in solidarity with others around the world, with a commitment to #BreakTheBias.

We celebrate the women who currently serve our community and thank them for their strong leadership as well as pay tribute to the women who have previously served for their efforts in breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes. Today, 16 of the 111 police officers in Medicine Hat are women and they are strong contributors to the community and the organization. The MHPS hopes to encourage others to follow in their footsteps and consider policing as a career. While women have always been an essential part of the workforce from the earliest days of the MHPS, they serve in increasingly diverse roles and offer their professional expertise in areas such as management, municipal bylaw enforcement, communications, information technology, data analysis, victim services and more.

This day also marks a call to action to accelerate women's equality and to support this goal the MHPS pledges to celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women in our community. Over the next year, starting on April 8, 2022, we will select one local woman per month to highlight and celebrate. Anyone who wishes to nominate a strong role model in our community can do so by submitting suggestions by email to mhps@mhps.ca for consideration. The nominations will be reviewed by a committee comprised of women who serve with the MHPS and each month they will select and arrange meet with the winner to celebrate her accomplishments.

The women's struggle for equality belongs to no single person or to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights. We hope that on International Women's Day you will join us to consider what you can do to make a positive difference for women as focusing on gender equity today will build a sustainable future for everyone tomorrow.

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FPM Week 2: Identify Theft / Fraud

March is Fraud Prevention Month in Canada.  Through out the month the MHPS Community Safety Unit will be sharing tips on how to recognize, reject and report common frauds and scams.  This week focuses on indentify thefts and phishing scams.

Phishing scams are one of the most common fraud attempts that happen. The word “phishing” comes from the way it is done. The fraudster will replicate a valid company or person’s email address and send out emails that act as a lure to attract potential victims. The more lures (emails) used, the more potential victims that can be reached. Phishing scams not only occur over the internet but can also occur over the phone or traditional letters mailed to the general public. The goal is to get your personal information or money.

Look out for emails, phone calls, or letters claiming that you have won a prize but need to call in or respond to an email to verify your winnings. Often times you will be asked to call in to a phone number, which requires you to pay a price per minute or flat rate. Some phishing scams will appear to be from an institution you are currently involved with and will ask that you to provide some personal information such as a credit card number or social insurance number. This should be a warning sign as your financial institution will already have this information on file.

There are several ways to protect yourself from falling victim to these scams:

  • Never respond to unsolicited requests from a company requesting personal information.
  • If you receive a notification that you have won a prize from a contest that you have never participated in, do not respond to it.
  • Block 1-900 phone numbers from calling you through your local telephone provider.
  • If you receive a request from a company you are currently involved with, whether you work for them or are a client and they are requesting money or personal information, contact your local branch of that institution directly to ensure it’s real.
  • If you receive unsolicited mail, either via email or regular mail, do your research on the company before conducting business with them. The Better Business Bureau is a great resource to confirm if they are a legitimate business with a positive reputation.

The best rule of thumb to protect yourself is to always be skeptical. Educate yourself on ways to protect your hard-earned money and seek advice if you are concerned that something might be a scam. The Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre website (www.antifraudcentre.ca) is a great resource and contains information about many different fraud types.

Media Contact:

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

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Return of Coffee with a Cop

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) is excited to announce the return of a popular community engagement initiative, ‘Coffee with a Cop’. As with the previous events, Coffee with a Cop is intended to provide an opportunity to connect members of the community with members of the MHPS for informal, casual conversation over a cup of coffee – on us!

Beginning on March 9, 2022, members of the MHPS will gather at four predetermined coffee locations with a variety of dates and times selected to provide opportunities to suit most schedules.

Wednesday, March 9, 2022, from 1:30 PM to 3:30 PM at Zucchini Blossom Market & Café (50 3rd St NE)

Thursday, March 17,2022, from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM at Station Coffee Co. (644 2nd Street SE)

Monday, March 28, 2022, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Starbucks (1941 Strachan Road, 101 Southlands Crossing)

Saturday, April 2, 2022, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Tim Hortons (2410 Division Avenue NW, Unit #2)

There will be no pre-set agenda or requirement to register to participate, our goal is simply to provide a venue for members of the community to; meet Chief Mike Worden, ask questions, voice any concerns, and get to know the men and women of the Service.

We hope to see you there!

Media Contact:

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

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Sheriff investigation shuts Medicine Hat drug house

The Alberta Sheriffs have shut down a property in Medicine Hat that was a magnet for violence and drug activity.

The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit of the Alberta Sheriffs obtained a court order against the owner of 144 5 Street SW in Medicine Hat, authorizing them to close the property for 90 days.

The community safety order took effect on March 3 and forbids anyone from entering the property until the closure period ends on June 1. Authorities installed a fence around the house, boarded up the windows and changed the locks to prevent anyone from gaining access to the premises until then.

“I want to thank the Alberta Sheriffs for their diligent work to help people in this community take back their neighbourhood. SCAN investigations and community safety orders help break the cycle of crime associated with problem properties and allow law-abiding Albertans to regain their safety and a sense of security.”

Tyler Shandro, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General

The SCAN unit began its investigation in April 2021, in response to multiple complaints from the community about drug activity. Residents observed a steady stream of people visiting the property in vehicles, on bikes and on foot. People in the community reported finding used needles and crack pipes strewn throughout the neighbourhood.

SCAN investigators were able to substantiate the complaints by observing several drug transactions and a high volume of people coming and going from the property.

The SCAN unit also had troubling evidence from local authorities. Between January 2019 and September 2021, the Medicine Hat Police Service responded to 120 incidents at the property for a variety of reasons, including a home invasion, assaults and several overdoses. As well, local police and EMS have responded to 10 overdoses at the property in recent years – two of which were fatal.

On Feb. 17, a Court of Queen’s Bench justice granted authorities a community safety order against the property owner, who was living on the premises. After the owner regains access to the property following the 90-day closure, it will remain under supervision until the community safety order expires on Feb. 17, 2023.

The SCAN unit works with other law enforcement agencies to shut down properties being used for illegal activities. The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act gives sheriffs the authority to target problem properties through civil enforcement.

Since its inception in 2008, Alberta’s SCAN unit has investigated nearly 7,000 problem properties and issued nearly 100 community safety orders. The majority of complaints are resolved by working with property owners to keep criminal activity out of the community.

MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Mike Letourneau of the SCAN unit and Insp. Joe West of the Medicine Hat Police Service will be available between noon and 12:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 3 for on-camera interviews at 144 5 Street SW, Medicine Hat.

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Dangerous Driving

On February 17th, 2022, at approximately 4:00 PM a MHPS patrol member observed a Jeep Compass travelling north bound on Parkview Drive NE at 123km/hr. At this time the officer turned around to apprehend the speeder however due to the driver’ s dangerous driving actions and road conditions, the officer chose not to continue their attempt to stop the vehicle in fear that it would only aggravate the suspect driver’s action which would further jeopardize the publics safety.

As a result of investigative efforts and assistance from the public, police were able to locate the vehicle at a local hotel. The driver was taken into custody and later identified as being a 37-year-old Medicine Hat man. In addition, a 40-year-old Red Deer woman was arrested, and a search warrant was subsequently executed on their hotel room. Both individuals were held in custody for numerous criminal offences. The driver has been charged with numerous offences including dangerous driving, flight from police, possession of stolen property under $5,000, theft under $5,000, possession of a weapon dangerous to the public, drug offences, possession of stolen identity documents, and breach of numerous court orders. The female has also been charged with numerous property crime and drug offences.

Thanks again to all the members of the public who aided police in locating this suspect and keep the public safe!

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Fraud Prevention Month

March 2022 marks the 18th anniversary of 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.

Thousands of Canadians of all ages and from all walks of life are defrauded each year, costing Canadians in excess of $100 million dollars per year. There is no typical fraud victim as individuals and business across all demographics and industries can be impacted.

Consumers can play a role in stopping fraud by arming themselves with information, recognizing and reporting fraud when they encounter it. It is important for consumers to remain vigilant and aware of the many different types of fraud scams out there as they are ever-changing, and new trends are always emerging.

Throughout the month, the Medicine Hat Police Service Community Support Unit will be sharing information on how to recognize and stop from falling victim to common frauds and scams. Each week will focus on a different theme, with week one focusing on crypto currency frauds / scams/

With the emergence of crypto currencies such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, fraudsters have another tool to attempt to commit fraud with. Crypto currencies are a type of currency accepted worldwide without government or bank control. This has made it increasingly more difficult for people to contact someone directly to confirm that a transaction is real.

Often, fraudsters will use traditional scams such as mass marketing and phishing phone or email scams and lure victims through investment opportunities in crypto currency. The fraudsters will either have victims purchase crypto currency and send it as an investment or send the fraudster real money for them to purchase crypto currency for them. Either way, the fraudster takes the funds, controls them, and never provides the money back.

The same rules apply here. If you do not know who is investing your money, don’t give them your money. If an investment opportunity comes out of the blue and appears to be too good to be true, it likely is. Always be vigilant, ensure you trust the person or company that you are investing your money with, and research the crypto currency yourself to understand how it works and how to get involved with it.

Gift cards, or at least their codes, are also increasingly being used by fraudsters. Scammers will contact potential victims hoping to make them believe they owe money, or that a relative needs money, or they have won money. All they ask for, is for the person to go to a local store and purchase a variety of gift cards and call them back to provide the codes on the back. These codes are then used as a form of online currency by the fraudster to make online purchases.

If you are ever concerned that something is not legitimate, do not participate or share information and remember that legitimate businesses such as the CRA, CBSA, police, telephone providers, lottery companies, airlines, and other companies will never ask you to purchase gift cards and send the codes to them.

For more information contact:

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

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Project Motor dismantles Western Canadian drug line

Five people have been charged and more than $1.6 million in fentanyl and meth were seized in a joint investigation between ALERT and RCMP Federal Serious Organized Crime.

Project Motor is an 18-month investigation that spanned across Canada’s westernmost provinces. ALERT alleges the drug trafficking network had its origins in British Columbia’s lower mainland, and fanned out across Calgary, Edmonton, Medicine Hat, Red Deer, Grande Prairie, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg.

The investigation originated in Medicine Hat and came on the heels of a series of large drug busts in southeast Alberta in early 2020. ALERT was able to trace back the drug supply, and leverage criminal intelligence, in order to develop a clearer picture of the criminal organization believed to be responsible.

More than $1.6 million dollars’ worth of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine were seized, along with 11 firearms and $82,000 cash. Five members of the drug network have been charged with offences ranging from drug trafficking to conspiracy to traffic drugs to participating in a criminal organization.

The seizures took place during the course of the investigation and included homes being searched in Calgary, Edmonton, and Fort St. John, B.C. Investigators seized:

• 11 firearms;

• 4,998 grams of fentanyl;

• 9,970 grams of meth;

• 50 grams of cocaine;

• $82,500 cash;

Analysis is being completed on the firearms and drugs seized. The fentanyl alone represents a theoretical yield of 50,000 doses, as it would be typically sold on the street-level.

Four people have been charged with a total of 37 criminal offences:

• Matthew Edwards, 42-year-old from Calgary;

• Kevin Hind, 27-year-old from Calgary;

• Karnvir Sandhu, 25-year-old from Calgary; and

• Atta Ul Waheed Sheikh, 34-year-old from Fort St. John.

A warrant has been issued for an additional suspect, who is presently believed to be somewhere in British Columbia:

• Dillon Burgie, 40-year-old from Calgary.

Project Motor relied on the assistance of a number of police agencies and specialized units, including: Medicine Hat Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Calgary Police Service, British Columbia Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit (CFSEU), Vancouver Police, and RCMP Fort St. John, and RCMP specialized units in E-Division and K-Division.

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.

Media inquiries may be directed to:

Mike Tucker

Communications Director

Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)

780-509-3015

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Stolen Vehicle Recovered

On January 22, 2022, the Medicine Hat Police Service was notified by the Swift Current RCMP of a vehicle that had been stolen in Swift Current, SK. The vehicle was equipped with GPS and the owner of the stolen vehicle was able to track its location to Medicine Hat, AB.

Police located the stolen vehicle parked a private driveway with two people inside. Both individuals failed to comply with police direction to exit the vehicle. The male driver then backed up and drove the vehicle away from police before later stopping in a yard, at which time both the male driver and female passenger exited the vehicle and ran from police. With the assistance of police K9, both individuals were taken into custody a short time later without further incident.

Resulting from this investigation a 26-year-old male and 26-year-old female, both from Medicine Hat, AB have been charged with possess stolen property over $5,000, resist arrest and flight from police. The male driver was also charged with breach of probation.

Media Contact:

Insp Joe West
Operational Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8414

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