(file photo/ CHAT News Today)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Domestic violence cases remain steady, but shoplifting is on the rise amid COVID-19

Apr 3, 2020 | 6:36 PM

MEDICINE HAT – Cities across Canada have reported a spike in domestic violence but the Medicine Hat Police Service says domestic violence cases in the city have remained steady so far.

“There’s always a potential risk just because of the isolation that people are facing but we have been watching our data quite significantly since the beginning of the year, and January, February, and March don’t show any difference in domestic violence,” Insp. Tim McGough said.

But while cases of domestic violence have remained flat, the Medicine Hat Police Service says they’ve seen an increase in call volume for custody disputes since the pandemic began.

“Where we have seen somewhat of a change is where one parent doesn’t want to return the child because they don’t believe the other parent is sufficiently isolating themselves at home enough.” Insp. McGough said.

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Shoplifting also appears to be on the rise, according to the Medicine Hat Police Service and work is being done to patrol areas of concern.

“For whatever reason we are having more and more complaints regarding shoplifting so we are stepping up our high viability patrols in those areas, some of the big box stores,” Insp. McGough said.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, bringing with it unprecedented situations, the Medicine Hat Police Service says they’re continuing to keep a watchful eye on all types of crime.

“We are living in an unusual time right now that we don’t know. There’s no plan that we’ve ever used to move forward from this, so we are tracking everything as diligently and as detailed as possible because if there is an issue, if there is a trend out there, is there something we can do to mitigate that.