A photo of a homeless camp taken earlier in July by the Medicine Hat Police Service. Police have made dismantling the homeless camps a priority this summer. (Submitted photo)

By Charles Lefebvre

MHPS

Homeless encampments down in Medicine Hat following enforcement

Jul 19, 2019 | 5:28 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The Medicine Hat Police Service says the number of homeless encampments in Medicine Hat have gone down in the last several weeks.

Earlier in July, the police service put a focus on homeless encampments enforcement after several of the camps were found in the city.

Police spent a particular focus on the area behind the Medicine Hat and District Food Bank.

“We’ve been there multiple times, and spoke to people who were occupying space there,” said Inspector Brent Secondiak. “I went there this morning, and there are no further encampments, so we’re happy with all of the protocols we’ve been doing to talk to people and try and find them shelter, and it appears to not be an issue at this point in time.”

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Secondiak says another encampment located near Strathcona Island Park has also been cleared.

When officers are patrolling the areas, they’re putting the people there in contact with homeless services.

“Without shelter, and the basic needs of life, other things seem to fail, and they resort to criminal activities sometimes,” said Secondiak. “If we can give them shelter, access to food and other resources, they’ll be more productive.”

Secondiak says it’s up to residents to report homeless encampments if they find them in their neighbourhood.

If one is spotted, contact police or submit tips through the Medicine Hat Police Service mobile app.