Medicine Hat Police confirm drug house investigation in Crescent Heights

Medicine Hat Police confirmed to CHAT News that the property in question on 8^th Avenue Northeast is being investigated for drug activity.

S/Sgt. Cory Both with the Organized Crime Section said it’s a property that they’ve dealt with multiple times before.

“That one’s been contentious for sure and it’s one of many, there’s several neighbourhoods that are dealing with the same frustrations,” said Both.

While distressed to see a drug home so close to where he lives, Bob said he was in a better situation compared to those living on 8^th Avenue.

“I really feel sorry for the people that live next door to it, across the street, anybody close,” said Bob.

Medicine Hat Police were not able to report how many drug houses are currently operating in the city, however they did say two have been shut down in recent years on Aberdeen Street and in the Flats.

Protocol for police is to investigate all complaints that come in surrounding these homes, however search warrants and affidavits are harder to secure from judges as reasonable grounds need to be presented that trafficking is occurring inside.

Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Unit out of Calgary can also be called in to help close problem houses through civil law means.

On Tuesday, police issued a release to the public asking residents to stay vigilant and to report any signs of possible drug activity.

These can include residents that are rarely seen or secretive, frequent visitors at odd times of the day, people visiting for short durations, vehicles parked near the property for short periods, and presence of drug paraphernalia.

Both said they also have resources for anyone concerned about their names getting back to the suspects.

“There certainly is that concern that, ‘I don’t want to be subject to reprisal or retaliation,’” he said. “So, we have lots of different reporting mechanisms that people can contribute the information anonymously.”

Police also encourage those living near confirmed drug houses to call MHPS for excessive noise, unsightly yards, dogs at large, and other bylaw violations that may indicate drug trafficking inside.

According to Both, police do all they can to investigate these reports however it’s not uncommon for past homes to re-emerge.

“When they are released from jail, they’re lawfully entitled to go back to the residence,” he said. “Generally, the behaviour doesn’t change and they’re right back at it. So, we feel the same frustration as residents.”

Bob said he believed police were doing what they could in the area, placing more of the blame regarding the rise of drug homes in Medicine Hat on the courts.

“I think the problem is the court system,” said Bob. “They arrest them and then they’re out on the street in a couple months, so that’s got to be frustrating for the police.”

The controversial topic has generated quite the discussion online with dozens of comments being posted on Medicine Hat Police’s Facebook feed Tuesday.

A handful of these comments claim local police are turning a blind eye and have not been doing enough to put a stop to these drug dens, though Both said it’s vital they keep complainants in the dark.

“A lot of our investigation needs to go unnoticed,” he said. “By disclosing our techniques and what we are doing, we stand to tip off the problem house and its occupants, and therefore shut down our progress.”

A resident of Crescent Heights for close to four decades, Bob said he’s seen drug use in the city as a whole become more of a problem.

Despite feeling a little less safe in his community, he and his family aren’t planning on leaving anytime soon.

“I’m not going to move because you could move right to the same problem. This is a nice neighbourhood, so I’m staying.”

by Scott Roblin

Medicine Hat Police confirm drug house investigation in Crescent Heights

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