So far, so good: Police report quiet Stampede week

The Medicine Hat Police Service is happy with how Hatters have behaved going into the fourth and final day of the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede.

MHPS Sgt. Mike Fischer says only minor issues have been reported to the police so far.

“It has been very unspectacular so far,” he said. “But when I say that, obviously it’s a very good thing. People are behaving and just enjoying the Stampede. It’s great for us to see.”

Though the consensus is good behaviour so far, Fischer says there have been a couple bumps in the road, including one fight, a group of kids photocopying ride wrist bands for free rides and a total of 16 kids missing as of Friday afternoon. He says the MHPS is really encouraging parents to sign up for its program, which sees parents and their children getting matching bracelets in case one of the kids goes missing.

“We have a tent set up right beside where we get parents and their children matching wristbands so if they get separated, we can work to get them back together,” he said. “We have a lot of people saying they don’t want, or don’t need to set this up. We’re really pushing people to get this because no one goes to an exhibition expecting to lose their kid, but you can prepare for the worst and it can pay off.”

The MHPS is also working with Stampede staff and volunteers at the end of every night to help people get out of the parking areas as quickly as possible.

“At the end of every night we’ve been working to help direct the traffic out of the Stampede grounds,” he said. “Getting 5-8,000 people out of here is pretty hectic. We have an officer at each gate helping people get to Dunmore Road as quick as possible — once you make it to Dunmore, you’re good.”

Fischer says one of the yearly concerns for police are the late-night events, but people have been staying on their game so far.

“Even at the beer gardens, we’ve only had to escort two people out, which isn’t too bad,” he said. “I just want to congratulate Medicine Hat for behaving, they have made it pretty boring for the officers here, which is exactly what we’re hoping to see. We just want people to be out here and having a good time.”