Residents in the Flats neighborhood are frustrated about a suspected drug house located on Elm Street

By Tiffany Goodwein

MHPS working on plan

Flats residents frustrated by suspected drug house

Mar 29, 2021 | 6:09 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB– When Andy Cockill moved into his Elm street area home three years ago, he fell in love with the big trees and community feel. But after a few days, he was stunned to see some of the activity occurring at a home in his neighbourhood.

“There’s lots of people coming and going. There was a woman in the street and she looked a little bit in distress and we thought, that’s a bit strange. We were in the front and she went up to my wife and said can you please call the police I have an issue?” he said.

It quickly became apparent, according to Cockill, that a suspected drug house was in the area.

Yelling, screaming, and theft have become day-to-day occurrences. The issues have left some residents feeling on edge.

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“ It’s like, is it going to turn nasty? Has someone got a weapon? You just really don’t know and that is no way to be,” he said.

A letter addressed to the MHPS asking them to do more about suspected drug houses in the Flats neighborhood (Facebook)

The issue has become so frustrating, letters to the Medicine Hat Police Service have been distributed throughout the neighbourhood. One was even taped to a streetlight and further posted on social media. The letter addressed to chief Mike Worden, begged for action on a suspected drug house on Elm Street, along with others in the area. The author further stated it is no longer safe for people raising kids.

In response, the city’s Chief of Police said he became aware of the suspected drug house after getting pictures of the letters late last week.

“For us we take that information very seriously. These are residents who seem somewhat frustrated with the neighbourhood or certain houses in the neighbourhood, so for us what we are doing is gathering the information, and then trying to develop a plan,” MHPS Chief Mike Worden said.

There are between a dozen to 20 houses listed as either a drug house or a community concern across the city. That number is not uncommon, according to MHPS

Their data indicates a large percentage of drug houses in the city are rentals. But the MHPS said drug houses can take form in any home and in any neighbourhood.

But for Andy Cockill who has dealt with the issue for years, he would like to see speedier measures in place, so that residents can feel safe.

“I know (police) are busy and they got lots to do but if we are just trying to get the big fish and the main dealers, that doesn’t really help because it is still a criminal activity which is going on not far from my house,” he said.