NEWS FILE PHOTO
The Saamis Tepee is seen in this March 2016 photo.
Police will boost their presence at three specific locations in Medicine Hat – including the Saamis Tepee and a high-profile business – that have produced a large volume of public complaints and tips about potential social gathering violations.
The release and increased visibility doesn’t necessarily mean any violations have taken place, a police spokesperson told the News, but is meant to assure the public the situation is being monitored and looked into.
“We’re taking every complaint seriously and deal with them in the appropriate manner,” said Staff Sgt. Jason Graham. “We haven’t issued a single ticket so far and that says a lot about our community.”
He stressed the force doesn’t name, comment on or single out individuals of businesses that have dealings with police unless charges are laid.
The release states that peace officers will be on hand at an unnamed business near Gershaw Drive in the Southwest Industrial area, the Saamis Tepee, and the intersection of 13th Avenue and Southview Drive. That commercial corridor features several banks and a registry office, where spaced-out sidewalk lineups were seen this week.
The stated general location of the business – the 800 block of 14th Street SW – corresponds with the highly visible parking lot of Tino’s Drive-In.
Specific to the Tepee, reports of young people congregating there were called into police.
The release also states that they will step up patrols and focus on property and drug crime in nine locations throughout the city, including streets in the communities of Vista, the South Flats, Crescent Heights, Riverside, the Southeast Hill and Connaught.
