Calls for service were way up in September versus August, including a notable spike in mental health calls. The Medicine Hat Police Service station is seen in this file photo.--NEWS FILE PHOTO
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Members of the Medicine Hat Police Commission discussed a number of topics during its public meeting at city hall Wednesday night, including a significant jump in calls for service.
Medicine Hat police responded to 139 calls relating to mental health in September, up from 112 calls for service in July. As well, police responded to more than 250 total calls for service this September over August.
Of those calls for service police responded to more than 20 thefts and more than 15 vehicle thefts last month over the previous month. Calls for mischief and fraud were down slightly compared to August.
Downtown patrol units were also busier during September, responding to 122 calls for service, 45 more than August, including 19 more calls for unwanted guests and eight more for suspicious activity.
Patrol units said they are noticing an increasing trend in people sleeping near Towne Square and the bandshell area of Riverside Veterans Memorial Park.
“Officers are working diligently to bridge gaps between various social service agencies and the vulnerable population,” states a commission report.
Major Crimes
During a period from Sept. 7-10 police responded to two calls involving a firearm, including outside the mall following a verbal altercation between a group of youth and a 43-year-old man.
Both incidents led to arrests and seizure of firearms; in one case police found a BB-style handgun.
“It’s important to note, and I’ve said it many times in this venue, the replica guns now the BB guns, air soft guns. Until you actually examine them it’s impossible to tell them from real firearms,” said Insp. Joe West. “A very alarming and difficult call.”
In September members of the Tactical Team also seized 12 firearms with ammunition as well as drugs and cash following a vehicle stop on Sept. 19 that led to the arrest of a 39-year-old man.
“Twelve firearms were seized, one of them turned out to be stolen and that team is looking to source those other firearms,” said West while describing what police seized. “A firearms suppressor, that’s a prohibited device used to suppress the muzzle flash and noise of a firearm, again only used by criminals.”
The resulting investigation resulted in multiple firearms-related and drug trafficking offences.
School resources
Last month police responded to three separate violent threat risk assessments at local schools that led to the issuing of two ‘hold and secure’ procedures and one more serious ‘lockdown’ procedure.
September school resource officers also noted a “high need” for student and family support, citing several incidents with students regarding vaping, bullying, minor thefts, domestic issues, parking and driving, as well as peer-to-peer conflicts.
During one particular incident an SRO assisted with the investigation after a fight occurred at a grocery store involving four youths, all who were charged for fighting.
K-9
Medicine Hat police are now back two serving two full K-9 dog teams after Const. Guerra and PSD Frezer have completed their training and certification in Edmonton and joined Patrol Team 2 as of Sept. 20.
In September the K-9 unit received 12 calls for service, including four building searches and one area search.
