Police will be keeping a closer eye on parking in school zones. (Photo Courtesy Derek Brade)

By Darren Rathwell

Medicine Hat police planning school zone safety blitz

Feb 23, 2022 | 4:52 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Medicine Hat police are planning a safety blitz in some local school zones, as they deal with an influx of complaints about illegal parking.

Police say morning and afternoon rush hours are the most concerning times of day for the issue.

Infractions by motorists include parking in fire lanes, crosswalks and handicapped spots, as well as double parking.

“It just makes it more of a challenge for other motorists going through there. And especially for children trying to cross the street,” said acting Sgt. Darren Holeha of the Medicine Hat Police Service’s traffic unit.

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Police are planning to campaign at a couple of schools next month with education, and if necessary, enforcement.

But they also add the problem isn’t localized but rather widespread across the city and elsewhere in Alberta.

“It’s kind of all schools around Medicine Hat, and it’s not just a Medicine Hat problem either,” Holeha said. “Everybody likes convenience, so they like to be able to drop kids off right in front of the school, or right in front of the front doors of the school. But that’s not always possible.”

Holeha says the schools to be part of the safety blitz have yet to be chosen. Fines for parking violations start at $50.