Posted by : Rita Sittler  On April 23rd, 2024 8:09 am

      

Community partners work collaboratively to provide an alternative response to temporary encampments in Medicine Hat.

Starting in April a new team of community partners, entitled the Pro-Active Engagement and Community Enhancement (PEACE) Team, involving representatives from the Medicine Hat Police Service (MHPS), Addiction and Mental Health Police and Crisis Team, Medicine Hat Fire Services, Community Housing, City of Medicine Hat Parks and Recreation Department and the Miywasin Friendship Center will work collectively to identify temporary encampments and provide services to individuals in need.

In 2023, members of the MHPS Operational Services Division and Municipal Bylaw Enforcement attended to 134 calls for service at encampments throughout the city. Additionally, the Medicine Hat Fire Service attended to 60 calls where fires or accelerants were present in encampments, and the Parks and Recreation Department was tasked with numerous cleanups of encampments which resulted in a substantial cost associated to the removal of discarded materials.

Outdoor encampments are a safety concern to the community due to the risk of fire and hazardous conditions. The PEACE team was created to coordinate the efforts of all involved agencies and provide a proactive response to the concerns associated with encampments. Members of the PEACE team will provide information and resources to individuals in the encampments, including mental health and addictions supports if required, and will work to connect those in need with reasonable access to community housing. Enforcement at locations may occur if primary support options are not accepted.

The PEACE team participants were carefully selected as each agency has direct contact with persons who live in outdoor encampments. “This partnership will increase the effectiveness of each agency as well as provide a multitude of resources to those in need,” says MHPS Chief Al Murphy. “It is our goal to ensure outdoor spaces can be enjoyed by the entire community and those who are struggling are provided the resources they require.”

The PEACE Team will commence operations in April and will provide services until September at which time a review of calls attended, and effectiveness of the program will occur.

Media Contact:
Inspector Brent Secondiak
Operational Services Division
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8412