ARTICLES

The COVID-19 pandemic is disrupting the lives and habits of all Canadians. To help understand its impacts on people across the country, Statistics Canada is collecting information related to the perceptions of crime, safety, and violence during the pandemic. To voluntarily participate in the survey click on the following link:

https://surveys-enquetes.statcan.gc.ca/form-formulaire/q/en/eqgs3f366219551540e4968745cdb5adc5c0/p0

The survey will close on May 25th, 2020 with results expected in mid-June.

For more information on this data collection, please visit https://www.statcan.gc.ca/eng/survey/household/5323-covid-series

The Medicine Hat Police Service in partnership with the Medicine Hat Police Commission is proud to present the 2019 Medicine Hat Police Service Annual Report.

The report includes a review of operational highlights as well as features key activities and accomplishments in relation to the four strategic priorities of; Community Safety, Community Engagement, Human Resources and Officer Safety. The report also celebrates awards received by the Service as well as commendations and compliments received by staff throughout the year.

To view the entire report, visit the MHPS website click here

For more information contact:

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

Four Medicine Hat men have been charged with a variety of child sexual exploitation offences following a series of arrests by ALERT’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) unit.

ICE’s investigation stems from the suspects’ alleged involvement in online child exploitation. The arrests took place between May 12 and 14, 2020, with the help of Medicine Hat Police Service.

“Sadly, our ICE unit has been inundated with cases involving online child exploitation during the COVID-19 pandemic. While people are spending more time online, I can’t emphasize enough the need to implement safe internet practices and know-how in order to protect our children,” said Supt. Dwayne Lakusta, ALERT CEO.

There is no definitive link between the suspects other than the nature of offences allegedly committed. Each of the men was charged with at least one child pornography offence:

• Thomas Bindr, a 27-year-old man;
• Blaine Vadnais, a 78-year-old man;
• Jeremy Unruh, a 43-year-old man; and
• Owen Michael Monteith, a 34-year-old man.

None of the accused were deemed to work in professions of trust and/or authority.

A total of 43 computers and devices were seized. ICE will continue its investigation by conducting a full forensic analysis.

ICE is an integrated team that includes members of Calgary Police, Lethbridge Police, and Medicine Hat Police, and RCMP members. ICE investigates offences involving child pornography, any computer-related child sexual abuse, child luring over the Internet, voyeurism involving victims under the age of 18, and child sex trade/tourism.

Anyone with information about this investigation, or any child exploitation offence is encouraged to contact local police or cybertip.ca.

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:

Sgt. Kirt Murray
Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Ph: 403-581-1090

Michael Tucker
Communications Director
Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT)
Desk: 780-509-3015
Cell: 780-983-4159

On May 18, 2020, the Medicine Hat Police responded to report of a distraught female on Finely Bridge.  After negotiating with the female, she was safely taken into custody and apprehended under the Mental Health Act.  The female was then transported to the Medicine Hat Hospital for treatment.  MHPS would like to thank the public for their patience while dealing with this matter.  No further comment will be made.

The Medicine Hat Police are currently at the scene of a high risk situation on Finley Bridge. We are asking people (pedestrian & vehicular) to avoid the area while we are dealing with the event.

On May 18, 2020 at about 5:30 am the Medicine Hat Police responded to a report of a motor vehicle collision in Strathcona Park. The investigation revealed a black sedan was travelling at a high rate of speed and collided with a tree. A female passenger was transported to the Medicine Hat Hospital for assessment, and her injuries are considered minor. The driver of the vehicle fled the scene, and is still unaccounted for. The total damaged is estimated at about $10,000 and the police are still continuing with the investigation. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact MHPS at 403-529- 8481.

On May 14, 2020, at approximately 4:45am, members of the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) responded to the 200 block of 4^th Street SW to investigate a weapons complaint. The investigation has determined that an unidentified person approached the residence on foot and fired several shots into the house before immediately fleeing the area on foot. The suspect at the time of the shooting was seen wearing what appeared to be all black clothing. A Police K-9 unit was deployed, but was not able to locate an offender in the area. No one in the residence was physically injured as a result of this offence.

While it is early in the investigation, it is believed that the residence was specifically targeted, and as such at this time there is no general public safety risk.

The MHPS Major Crime Section will continue the investigation and is asking that anyone with information that could assist the investigation to contact the MHPS at 403-529-8481 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800 -222-8477 (TIPS). Specifically, the MHPS would like to follow up with a male witness that observed the offender running away. The male who previously spoke with an officer on scene is asked to contact the MHPS Major Crime Section at 403-529-8421.

Tips may also be submitted (anonymously if preferred) 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 Chad Holt
Major Crime Section
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8421

Colton Cobler, has been located and is safe! The MHPS would like to thank the community for their help.

The Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS) is aware of an emerging trend of local online groups that have been created to encourage the gesture of members treating others with a baskets of goodies that are delivered anonymously, in an effort to lift the spirits of fellow community members.

While the groups have been created with the best of intentions, to support local businesses and bring smiles during difficult times of isolation caused by the pandemic, the MHPS would like to share an important reminder about the inherent safety risks of sharing personal information on the internet, including; names, addresses and family details.

While the groups may have some administrative settings in an attempt to restrict the approval of members, there are predators who are also on the internet who are able to easily make a false profile and can be added to these groups inadvertently, especially as the group size grows. In addition, individuals sneaking up to people or homes wearing masks and other costumes may cause concern for other members of the public who are not aware of the group and in turn report to police.

As such the MHPS would like to strongly encourage members of the groups to carefully review the information they have shared and their own personal social media account privacy settings. A safer alternative would be to continue the concept of random acts of kindness, but limit the scope to members of you existing social circle.

Media Contact:

Sgt Darlene Garrecht
Community Safety Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8451

This week is Alberta Crime Prevention Week, intended to raise awareness about what communities can do to promote community safety through the prevention of crime.

Safe Homes

Our homes are very important to us and during the COVID-19 pandemic individuals are spending more time at home than ever before. In addition the usual tips about taking steps to ensure that your home and property are secured, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design or "CPTED (pronounced sep-ted) is the science around the design and effective use of physical space to reduce both the incidence and fear of crime. Aspects such as locks, windows, doors, fencing, cameras, lighting, and vegetation are just some of the tools in the CPTED toolkit. The practice of CPTED ensures that all spaces are defined, properly designed, and have a designated use to deflect and deter crime within and around properties.

Safe Communities

The best way to deal with problems is to stop them before they start. Throughout the pandemic we have heard it said that “We are all in this together”. The same can be said for crime prevention strategies. Communities are safer when citizens act together. Neighbourhood safety is a shared responsibility, in which both citizens and police have important roles. Small steps are often the best way to start building a community, which could involve such simple things as alerting neighbours when suspicious activity seems to be happening and reporting to police by calling 911. Many people believe that the police do not want to be called if something suspicious is happening, but this is not true. By calling 911 police are able to respond immediately to the area to check it out.

Online Safety

In addition to protecting our physical spaces, we also need to take steps to keep ourselves and our children safe online. While we stay safe indoors, individuals are spending more time online; learning, connecting with one another and conducting business transactions. This increased activity has unfortunately resulted in increased frauds and scams. To protect yourself online always protect your personal information and be on the look out for phishing scams. The best way to deal with phishing and other spam emails is to delete them on sight. Don’t open them, don’t reply to them, don’t open any attachments or click on any links, and definitely don’t send any money, bitcoins or gift cards in response to unsolicited emails.

Talk to your children about online safety and encourage them to let you know when something goes wrong. Set standards for what your kids can and cannot do online, teach them to keep personal information private and monitor their activities.

The Medicine Hat Police Service Community Safety Unit looks forward to continuing our crime prevention community programming when it is safe to do so. Until then, take care of yourselves, your families and your neighbours. If you have any questions or concerns contact the MHPS non emergency line 403-529-8481 or 911 in an emergency.

Media Contact:

Sgt Darlene Garrecht
Community Safety Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8451