CHAT News File Photo

By Brian Konrad

Shared responsibility

MHPS, AHS both responsible for enforcing public health orders

Dec 22, 2020 | 1:55 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The responsibility for enforcing public health orders in Medicine Hat falls upon both Alberta Health Services and the Medicine Hat Police Service.

Alberta Health investigates all complaints against businesses, while the city police service, including patrol and municipal enforcement, deal with matters like the mask bylaw and public gatherings.

Insp. Brent Secondiak says officers have heard questions and calls so far this month.

“Generally, we’re asking people to be reasonable about it,” he says. “So you know if there’s one car in front of a house there could be a legitimate reason for that vehicle being there. But if it looks like there’s a definite breach of the order, numerous people there, large gatherings things of that nature, they should absolutely call MHPS.”

Secondiak says to call the non-emergency line at 403-529-8481 and there’ll be an officer that will be able to assist.

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City police have only laid one charge to date related to public health orders, says Secondiak.

He says officers prefer education as the primary tool to achieve compliance.

To that end, the mobile app is updated often, including a section dealing with frequently asked questions. It’s available on the Apple and Google Play stores.