By Scott Roblin

Average New Year’s Eve reported by Medicine Hat Police

Jan 1, 2018 | 3:50 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Medicine Hat residents were, for the most part, fairly well behaved as another New Year’s Eve came and went for Medicine Hat Police.

Officers responded to around 75 calls on Sunday night and Monday morning, a number police said is average compared to New Year’s Eves in the past.

Aside from a stolen vehicle driving into Davis GMC Buick in the early morning hours of New Year’s Day, S/Sgt. Jason Graham said there was very little out of the ordinary this year.

“Obviously alcohol-related incidents, fights, house parties and whatnot,” said Graham. “So, we’re thankful to report that there wasn’t anything significant to report as a result of [Sunday] night.”

Once again, Medicine Hat Police put an emphasis on checkstops around the city on Sunday night, looking to pull intoxicated drivers off the roads and dissuade others from driving drunk.

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Graham said to his knowledge, there weren’t any charges laid at their checkstops regarding drunk driving.

“There were no charges that I’m aware of as far as checkstops.”

The cold weather also played a factor on Sunday, with very few people venturing outdoors to bring in 2018.

Along with those who were operating the checkstops, Medicine Hat Police also had 10 officers on patrol for New Years.

According to Graham, that number was more than enough to cover the city and they didn’t have any issues regarding short-handed crews.

“We didn’t increase our numbers by any means,” he said. “Obviously, if something of significance comes in, then we will deal with it at that time. But, [Sunday] night was no different than any other night so to speak, as far as staffing levels go.”

Last year on New Year’s Eve, 24-year-old Jordan Pede was found in Strathcona Island Park suffering from gunshot wounds and later died of his injuries in hospital.

Police have since charged 22-year-old Luke Boxell and 25-year-old Leonard Beaulieu with second-degree murder and both will stand trial in 2018.