By Charles Lefebvre

Police launch Operation Refresh to help feed people in need

May 29, 2019 | 4:56 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — The Medicine Hat Police Service has partnered with the local Food Bank to help the most vulnerable people in Medicine Hat.

Operation Refresh was initiated by the Medicine Hat Police Service in April, and sees officers handing out food and drinks to vulnerable citizens they encounter on the street.

“Myself and Constable O’Donnell met with a director of the Medicine Hat Food Bank, and we realized there was some more issues with those more vulnerable in the community, with thefts and stuff like that,” said Constable Kyle Jalbert with the Medicine Hat Police Service. “They’re looking for maybe just the food, or a way to hydrate when they don’t have the means of the actual Food Bank available to them.”

The Food Bank will pack up non-perishable food, along with bottles of water and Gatorade, in bags that will be placed in patrol vehicles. If they come across someone who is in need, they will receive food or a beverage.

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Jalbert says the project is key to helping build relationships in the community.

“We do have a lot of involvement with people who utilize the social services in town, and we want to get away from the stigma that it’s all negative involvement with the police, and we want to make it a more positive experience when they do deal with the police,” he said.

It’s something Celina Symmonds, executive director of the Food Bank, agrees with.

“What this can do is have people see the Police Service as a support to them, as opposed to just the negative part,” she said. “They’ve already seen results, as far as people acting differently when they see the police pull up with Gatorade or a fruit snack.”

So far, Jalbert says the people who have received food have been grateful and appreciative of the gesture.

He adds he’s hoping to get other members of the patrol section on board with the project.