The Medicine Hat Police Service says its members are working overtime downtown to keep safety up, especially since the closure of the Mustard Seed's Allowance Avenue shelter.--FILE PHOTO
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Medicine Hat Police Service members are working several overtime shifts to address public concerns around the safety of downtown, and are facing a unique challenge this year with the closure of the Mustard Seed’s permanent shelter on Allowance Avenue.
Members of the police commission on Thursday evening heard the downtown patrol unit is picking up several overtime shifts to address public concerns around safety within the city’s core.
“Largely,8 I’m receiving positive feedback from members of the public who are commenting that they witness and they see us regularly out there a lot more. That’s in response to our strategy with more overtime shifts,” explained Insp. Jason Graham while informing the commission that MHPS also increased its downtown patrol unit by one member.
Officers say this year they have experienced a growing trend of people loitering, as well as people littering in those areas. Graham said the closure of the shelter that served vulnerable individuals has police concerned.
“It’s created a bit of a concern for us as far as moving people along this year, unlike other years when they had a place to go, and unfortunately they do not this year at this point,” said Graham.
Of the 96 calls for service the downtown patrol unit responded to in April, 41 involved unwanted guests and 17 were made regarding suspicious activity.
“So we are forced to move them along and it’s just a repetitive thing throughout the course of our day,” adds Graham.
Downtown officers also responded to three weapons offences and 11 drug and alcohol related calls last month.
In addition to the extra leg work, downtown officers are also now able to cover more ground more effectively. Last month patrol members completed a four-day course allowing them to use bicycles in their policing duties.
The Law Enforcement Bicycle Association course provides officers the qualifications to use bicycles while on patrols, effectively increasing their capabilities to investigate and apprehend individuals actively committing crimes, including the use of illicit drugs, trespassing and graffiti.
“A lot of positive feedback on that so far, a lot more efficient. They have really enjoyed it thus far, they have been out there for about a month now, so far so good, I think it’s been good for downtown.” said chief Alan Murphy.
Awards
Three local traffic constables were recognized by members of Alberta’s police agencies for their efforts in combating impaired driving during the annual Cpl. Cumming’s Watch Awards established in partnership with MADD Canada and Alberta law agencies.
Const. Smith, Const. Angstadt and Sgt. Wyton were awarded a gold level for investing and charging 25 or more impaired drivers. Const. Smith was also recognized with another gold level for completing 19 Drug Recognition Expert evaluations, the second highest in the province.
The annual awards were founded in 2015 and honour Cpl. Cumming, who was killed by a drunk driver while on duty along Highway 3 near Lethbridge in 1998.
