Medicine Hat police say they've identified a "hot spot" of crime and other concerning incidents exists around Third Street and Division Avenue Northwest. (Photo Courtesy Bob Schneider)

By Chris Brown

A concerning ‘hot spot’ in Riverside: MHPS

May 25, 2022 | 4:34 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Medicine Hat police say quality of life crimes and other incidents happening in the Riverside neighbourhood should concern everyone in the community.

MHPS Sgt. Harley Kesler says police began an analysis of crime in the area after a series of online posts and determined a “hot spot” near Third Street and Division Avenue Northwest.

“We needed to gather some information to try to put context to what is actually going on in the Riverside area,” Kesler said.

“I’m not going to mince words. It is a low-budget motel that is being utilized in the area so we’re examining that but we’re also taking a look at crime in the area. To link it directly to the old Mike’s Motel, it’s really hard to say that that’s the case but we’re looking at everything.”

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Last week police distributed letters to area residents to engage them in a community policing plan, asking for anonymous information about activities commonly associated with drug houses.

Information about license plates and vehicles and descriptions of people and times of visits are particularly useful, the letter reads.

Kesler says the ultimate goal is to renew the safety of the people who live work and visit Riverside. He says reporting suspicious occurrences in the neighbourhood will go a long way, but people can help stop incidents before they happen as well.

“A couple of things that would help would be turning on their lights at night as well as locking vehicles removing valuables from their vehicles and installing locks on their gates. And those are some proactive measures they can take to reduce victimization in the area,” he says.

Police are also working with the bylaw unit, Alberta Health Services and Medicine Hat Fire Services to address issues in the area.

The letters from police show that information can be sent to chan.lee@mhps.ca.