ARTICLES

Have a traffic service request? Fill out this form and we will respond as soon as possible.

Based on the data collected for the month of October, the majority of the collisions are occurring between 8am and 5pm, on the Trans Canada Highway, and in the Dunmore Road area.  26% of collisions are occurred while drivers are backing up, 16% were side-swipe crashes, 16% were a result of following too closely, and 11% occurred while driving too fast for the road conditions.  The other 33% of crashes were caused by left turn-across the path of another vehicle, right angle crashes, and other types of crashes not previously listed. Nearly 50% of the 43 injury crashes in October were rear end crashes.

Winter Driving Safety Tips

With winter fast approaching, the Medicine Hat Police Service reminds drivers to allow increased following distances between themselves and the vehicles in front of them.  Poor road conditions affect the stopping distances for all vehicles, including four-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive vehicles.  Please allow extra time to
scrape ALL of your vehicle’s windows properly.  An obscured windshield or window can greatly increase the risk of a collision, and could result in a $115.00 fine.  It is recommended that driver’s prepare their vehicles early for winter, ensuring they have sufficient tread on their tires, and their vehicles are mechanically sound.

Total Number of Property Damage Collisions October 2013

Total Number of Injury Collisions
October 2013 

Missing Person: Gareth AUSTIN File #:        9521310

Investigation Agency:     Medicine Hat Police Service (403-529-8400)

Date Last Seen:     August 17 1995 Place Last Seen:    Medicine Hat, AB

Age at Time of Disappearance:  23 years

Scars/Marks/Tattoos: Not Known

Clothing/Jewelry Worn at Time of Disappearance: Not Known

Additional Information:

Gareth AUSTIN was last known to be in Medicine Hat, Alberta with Dominic PARK.  Neither have been seen or heard from since.  Police investigations remain ongoing. 

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of this person, please contact the investigating agency using the number provided above or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477)

Missing Person Martha Beatriz GARCIA File #:        2009-25757

Investigation Agency:     Medicine Hat Police Service (403-529-8400)

Date Last Seen:     September 5 2009 Place Last Seen:    Medicine Hat, AB

Age at Time of Disappearance:  52 years

Scars/Marks/Tattoos: Not Known

Clothing/Jewelry Worn at Time of Disappearance: Not Known

Additional Information:

Both Martha GARCIA and her husband Walfrido RAMIREZ-DIAZ are missing from Medicine Hat, AB.  They were last seen on September 5 2009 stating they were travelling to Calgary.  This investigation remains ongoing.

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of this person, please contact the investigating agency using the number provided above or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) 

Missing Person Garry GACKLE File #:        1994-14433

Investigation Agency:     Medicine Hat Police Service (403-529-8400)

Date Last Seen:     June 13 1994 Place Last Seen:    Medicine Hat, AB

Age at Time of Disappearance:  44 Years

Scars/Marks/Tattoos: Not Known

Clothing/Jewelry Worn at Time of Disappearance: Not Known

Additional Information:

Garry GACKLE was last known to be in Medicine Hat, Alberta.  Neither have been seen or heard from since.  Police investigations remain ongoing. 

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of this person, please contact the investigating agency using the number provided above or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) 

Missing Person Guillermina Rosas COLEMAN File #:        2004-15998

Investigation Agency:     Medicine Hat Police Service (403-529-8400)

Date Last Seen:     July 4 2004 Place Last Seen:    Cypress View Foundation Medicine Hat, AB

Age at Time of Disappearance:  72 years

Scars/Marks/Tattoos: Not Known

Clothing/Jewelry Worn at Time of Disappearance: Not Known

Additional Information:

COLEMAN left her residence in Cypress View Foundation sometime between 8:00 pm on July 4 2004 and 10:00 am on July 5 2004 and has not been seen since.

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of this person, please contact the investigating agency using the number provided above or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) 

Missing Person Dominic PARK File #:       9521310

Investigation Agency:     Medicine Hat Police Service (403-529-8400)

Date Last Seen:    August 17 1995 Place Last Seen:    Medicine Hat, AB

Age at Time of Disappearance:  24 years

Scars/Marks/Tattoos: Not Known

Clothing/Jewelry Worn at Time of Disappearance: Not Known

Additional Information:

Dominic PARK was last known to be in Medicine Hat, Alberta with Gareth AUSTIN.  Neither have been seen or heard from since.  Police investigations remain ongoing. 

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of this person, please contact the investigating agency using the number provided above or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) 

Missing Person Walfrido RAMIREZ-DIAZ File #:        2009-25757

Investigation Agency:     Medicine Hat Police Service (403-529-8400)

Date Last Seen:     September 5 2009 Place Last Seen:    Medicine Hat, AB

Age at Time of Disappearance:  55 years

Scars/Marks/Tattoos: Not Known

Clothing/Jewelry Worn at Time of Disappearance: Not Known

Additional Information:

Both Walfrido RAMIREZ-DIAZ and his wife Martha GARCIA are missing from Medicine Hat, AB.  They were last seen on September 5 2009 stating they were travelling to Calgary.  This investigation remains ongoing.

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of this person, please contact the investigating agency using the number provided above or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) 

Who will talk to my child?

Your child will be talking to a Child Interview Specialist. The Interviewer is specially trained in evidence-based interviewing techniques that allow children to talk about what might have happened when there are concerns that a crime may have occurred. The interviews are meant to be child-friendly in all ways - from the look of the interview room to the interviewer's efforts to match the talking pace of your child.

Your child will never be forced to talk and is allowed to take breaks or end the interview at any time.

Feel free to share with the detective or advocate any information that you think the interviewer should have about your child, including any language delays or fears about the interview.

How can I help my child before the interview?

Let your child know that other kids come to talk with the interviewer and that it is the interviewer’s job to listen to kids.  Give your child permission to talk to the interviewer about anything that might have happened to them. Assure them that you will be nearby and available if they need you. Tell them that they are not in any trouble, and remind them of the importance to tell the truth.

You might tell your child, “I’m going to take you to see someone who talks to kids. They talk to kids about all sorts of things that might have happened to them. You are not in trouble. It’s okay to tell everything that’s happened. It’s always important that you tell the truth.” 

When should I tell my child about the interview?

As the parent or guardian you are the best judge as to when to tell your child that they will be going to an interview. In general, telling your child a day before the interview ‐ or even on the way to the interview ‐ allows enough time so that the interview is not a surprise but does not cause your child a great deal of anxiety. An advocate is available to talk with you before the interview to answer any questions or concerns.

Can my child bring food or toys into the interview?

Most kids have a limited attention span and toys and food can distract children from speaking with the interviewer. Remind your child that the purpose of the meetng is to talk (not play) with the interviewer. Feeding your child before the interview is recommended. 

Can I watch the interview?

No. The people who watch the interview are the detectve and sometmes a social worker. Children need to be able to talk in a place that is as neutral as possible and having a parent or guardian in the room or witnessing the interview makes that more difficult. Additionally, parents and/or guardians are often witnesses in potential legal cases and your testimony may be compromised by watching the child interview. The interview is recorded on video.

How long will the interview last? What happens when the interview is over?

The length of the interview will be shaped by your child ‐ by their attention span, their pacing, and how much they have to say.  Most interviews last approximately 45 ‐ 60 minutes. After the interview the detectve can tell you in general terms what was learned and can answer your questions about the investigation.

How can I help my child after the interview?

Thank your child for talking to the interviewer and listen to them if they choose to talk about the interview. It’s important not to pressure your child to talk about the interview.

Assure your child of your love and support no matter what they said during the interview. 

Tell your child that it is not their fault if something happened to them and that there are people who are going to help them.

What about Counseling?

Children and teens may struggle with confusion, worries and other intense emotions related to the abuse. Counseling can help children and teens to process these thoughts and feelings and to develop a healthy and empowering way to understand and cope with the memory of the abuse. You might tell your child "Even though your body is safe now, kids sometimes have worries or fears about what happened that won't go away. A counselor can help with your worries and fears."

Directions to Interview:

Interviews are held at one of two locatons in Medicine Hat. Your detective will let you know where to go for your child’s interview. The following addresses will assist you in the location of the interview.

Medicine Hat Police Service 884 2 Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 8H2

Southern Alberta Child & Family Services 201-346 3rd Street SE, Medicine Hat, AB T1A 2B8

The Safe Families Intervention Team (SFIT) is a partnership that was formed between the Medicine Hat Police Service and the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society (MHWSS). The unit works between the Medicine Hat Police Service and the MHWSS Outreach Office located at the Ridge. The unit consist of one MHPS Constable and 5 MHWSS Outreach staff members.

The Mission of this unit is to provide a collaborative, timely and effective team response in partnership with support agencies to assist families in dealing with incidents of family violence.  We believe that everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to live a violent free life.

We strive to achieve the following outcomes:

• Provide early identification and the appropriate assessment(s) of families that may be in need of family violence intervention referral service
• Reduce repeat domestic violence related calls to MHPS
• Ensure that women, children and men have access to services with MHWSS
• Provide the necessary resources, services and referrals for families to establish healthy violence free relationships

In an effort to achieve these outcomes, we make follow-up calls on police reported instances to see if there is some way we can help the family involved.  We also establish contact when families are either referred to us by others or are self-referred.

If you are in an abusive relationship and would like information about creating a safety plan - click here to for a Strategies for Safety quick reference guide

Contact:

Safe Family Intervention Team
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8463
Email: sfit@mhps.ca