Image from alert-ab.ca

By CHAT News Today

Partnership of ALERT, MHPS, RCMP

Area property crime unit seeing early success

Aug 18, 2020 | 12:25 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – About four months since beginning operations, a new crime unit established by the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team has seized close to $275,000 worth of stolen goods and drugs and made 73 arrests.

ALERT’s Southeast Alberta Property Crime Unit has seized multiple stolen vehicles, all-terrain vehicles, power tools, generators, license plates, copper wire and more since April. In total, more than 250 charges have been laid.

“By regionalizing our Property Crime Unit and working closely with our partners in the RCMP, through the effective leadership of ALERT, our communities will be safer and criminals will soon learn that enforcement has no borders,” says Medicine Hat Police Service Chief Andy McGrogan in a release.

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ALERT has been able to connect some of the stolen property to thefts in Medicine Hat, Redcliff, Cypress County, County of Forty Mile, County of Newell and Sundre.

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The estimated value of property seized is $240,071, while the estimated street value of drugs seized is $33,900.

“Criminals don’t respect borders. Through an integrated, collaborative policing approach, we can provide a swift and agile response to this multi-jurisdictional crime trend,” said Supt. Dwayne Lakusta, ALERT’s chief executive officer.

Members of the public who suspect drug or gang activity in their community can call local police, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Crime Stoppers is always anonymous. Medicine Hat residents can also submit tips anonymously through the Medicine Hat Police Service mobile app, which is free to download and available for both Apple and Android devices.

ALERT Handout Photo

ALERT Handout Photo

ALERT Handout Photo