CHAT News File Photo

By Chris Brown

Mostly advice calls

Few calls about COVID-related violations to local law enforcement

Dec 1, 2020 | 2:22 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Restrictions on indoor and outdoor social gatherings came into effect a week ago and things have been generally quiet for local law enforcement agencies.

While police elsewhere have had people calling 911 with COVID-19-related complaints that hasn’t been the case in southeastern Alberta.

Cypress County posted messages on social media Monday reminding people that 911 is for emergencies only and giving the proper phone number (1-833-415-9179) and website for complaints regarding compliance with the restrictions.

“It was more of a proactive thing because we saw other municipal districts like Edmonton police and what not starting to put outposts like that so we realized it was probably going to start hitting our area as well,” says communications coordinator Tracey Jenkins. “So (Peace Officer) Anna (Mast) wanted me to put something out there just to be proactive and remind people about 911 is just for emergencies.”

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So far, neither the county’s peace officer nor Redcliff RCMP have fielded any compliance-related calls to 911.

Medicine Hat Police Service has also been free of COVID-related calls to 911, but has had 17 calls to the non-emergency line.

“Most of them, 11 have been advice calls. People not exactly sure how the new chief medical officer of health orders apply to them,” says Insp. Brent Secondiak. “So we’ve given them advice where it applies to the police service or directed them to Alberta Health Services. We’ve had six compliance checks all of which were unfounded or there was a warning given.”

He says MHPS is pleased with the low number of calls about violations of the new measures and says they will continue leading with education when responding to calls.

Staff Sgt. Sean Maxwell of the Redcliff RCMP says his officers also led with education on the one call about compliance they’ve had so far and that no charges were laid.

The message he hopes the community is hearing is that Alberta Health Services is the best one to look into issues around compliance.

“We will certainly deal with situations that we get calls to and certainly peace officer Mast for Cypress County will as well. I’ve been in conversation with her actually just yesterday with regards to this and we’re quite glad that they’re a good partner.”