Police issue Amber Alert

The Edmonton Police Service has issued an Amber Alert for three Caucasian, male children who were allegedly abducted by an adult male from north Edmonton at approximately 9:45 a.m. today (Friday, Dec. 19, 2014). Police believe the adult male is known to the children.

Child #1: 2 years old, with curly, blond hair, approximately 3’6” in height.

Child #2: 8 years old with short, dark, messy hair, approximately 4’2” in height.

Child #3: 9 years old with light brown, short hair, approximately 4’2” in height.

The adult male is reported as Leonard Hutchinson, 50. He is described as a Caucasian male, approximately 6’1” in height, and weighs about 300 lbs. He was last seen wearing a grey shirt, grey pants, with suspenders and eye glasses.

The adult male and children were last seen in a 2002 red Kia Sedona with the AB licence plate BPB6141. The vehicle was last known to be travelling in west Edmonton. The adult male may be accompanied by an Aboriginal female with long, dark hair.

Anyone who has information is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at http://ift.tt/1az8Eve.

from Media Releases http://ift.tt/1DRYKp5

Police seek witnesses to pedestrian collision in southeast Edmonton

Officers from the Edmonton Police Service Major Collision Investigation Unit (MCIU) are seeking witnesses to a pedestrian collision that occurred earlier this week in southeast Edmonton.

On Monday, Dec. 15, 2014 at approximately 7:50 p.m., Southeast Division patrol members responded to the report of a pedestrian collision in a marked crosswalk at 98 Avenue and Terrace Road. It is alleged that two pedestrians, a 27-year-old male and 22-year-old female, were struck by a Pontiac G5 travelling westbound on 98 Avenue.

“Investigators are looking to speak with a female motorist who stopped at the scene of the collision on Monday evening,” says Const. Binoy Prabhu with the EPS MCIU. “The motorist identified herself as a nurse, and provided assistance to the pedestrians. The EPS would like to speak with this witness, along with anyone else who may have information about the collision.”

The two pedestrians were treated and transported to hospital with injuries, where they both remain in stable condition. The collision is still under investigation, and charges have not been laid at this time.

Neither excessive speed nor alcohol are believed to be factors in the collision.

Anyone who has information about this collision is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at http://ift.tt/1az8Eve.

from Media Releases http://ift.tt/1w343HX

P4 initiative focuses on crime prevention in downtown Edmonton

The Edmonton Police Service will have an increased presence this week in downtown parking areas, as officers carry out a public safety initiative known as “P4”.

P4 zones (parkades, pedways, platforms and parking lots) see an increase in foot and vehicle traffic during the holiday season. Starting Monday, Dec. 15, 2014, Community Liaison Constables from Downtown Division will be targeting these areas, in an effort to increase public safety and reduce property crime and violence.

The P4 initiative will focus on parkade, pedway, platform and parking lot safety in the following areas:

• Shopping centre parking lots


• Downtown hotels


• Churchill and Stadium LRT platforms


• The downtown pedway system


• Parking lots throughout the downtown core

“Officers will be in these areas to raise awareness about theft and property crime, and to target criminal activity when necessary,” says Acting Sgt. Christopher Lucas with Downtown Division. “The EPS is also partnering with the Alberta Motor Association and Centre High students to distribute information to the public about crime prevention.”

The initiative will take place during afternoon and evening hours, from Monday, Dec. 15 to Thursday, Dec. 18, 2014.

Citizens who witness suspicious activity in P4 areas are asked to contact the EPS 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at http://ift.tt/1az8Eve.

from Media Releases http://ift.tt/1wWus1o

“Make Your Move” to stop sexual violence

The Edmonton Police Service is launching “Make Your Move” today, an awareness campaign that urges the public to get involved and interrupt behaviours that may lead to sexual violence.

“Sexual assault is a serious crime the Edmonton Police Service continues to see in the city, and these incidents are often facilitated by alcohol,” says Staff Sgt. Shawna Grimes with the Sexual Assault Section. “The ‘Make Your Move’ message encourages bar patrons to look out for each other by stopping comments and actions that promote sexual violence.”

So far in 2014, 374 sexual assaults have been reported to the EPS Sexual Assault Section, an increase from 355 reported in 2013 and 337 in 2012.

“Education and public awareness campaigns often encourage people to come forward and report incidents of sexual violence to the police,” comments Staff Sgt. Grimes. “We want to empower others to do the same.”

“Make Your Move” is aimed at bar patrons, both men and women, and the main messages are simple but head-turning: look out for each other, get your friends home safely and never feel like you owe anyone anything.

“We want to encourage patrons to drop the ‘it’s none of my business’ attitude and adopt a ‘that could be my family or friend’ approach, if they see someone who may need assistance. Intervention, when safe to do so, can prevent a potentially harmful situation,” says Staff Sgt. Grimes.

The campaign will run from Dec. 15, 2014 to Jan. 11, 2015, with print posters displayed in the public washrooms of approximately twenty bars across Edmonton. The campaign will also be featured on social media, through the EPS Facebook, Twitter and Flickr accounts.

The “Make Your Move” campaign originated in Montana as an effort from Missoula’s Intervention in Action Project, a group of community organizations dedicated to ending sexual violence.

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Suspect charged in connection with downtown shooting

The Edmonton Police Service has arrested a male suspect in connection with a downtown Edmonton shooting that occurred on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014.

At approximately 12:10 a.m. on Dec. 11, 2014, Downtown Division officers responded to the area of 105 Avenue, west of 101 Street, after it was reported that a 32-year-old male had sustained a gunshot wound. The male was treated and transported to hospital with serious injuries, where he remains in stable condition.

Video surveillance of the incident was reviewed, and investigations led Downtown Division and Tactical Section officers to the area of 102 Avenue and 101 Street. At approximately 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014, a male suspect was taken into custody without incident. Upon arrest, officers recovered a concealed, loaded firearm on the suspect.

Ronald Alexander GIROUX-BELCOURT, 21, faces 28 charges, including attempted murder, aggravated assault, discharge firearm with intent to endanger life, possess offensive weapon dangerous to public and carry concealed weapon.

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Blue Santa delivering holiday cheer

Some special children on the ‘nice list’ will get a special delivery by Blue Santa in police cruisers this holiday season!

The Edmonton Police Service Blue Santa program is in its 19^th year. Uniformed police officers are volunteering their coffee breaks during their shifts to deliver gifts on behalf of Santa’s Anonymous to families in need.

“This volunteer effort is a great way for citizens to have a positive interaction with police,” says Det. Rob Gill who spearheaded the Blue Santa program almost two decades ago. “Uniformed police officers personally deliver about 400 gifts city-wide every year.”

The mission of Blue Santa has always been to see every child receive a gift during the holiday season.

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Police looking for witnesses in downtown shooting

The Edmonton Police Service is investigating a reported shooting that occurred early this morning (Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014) in downtown Edmonton.

At approximately 12:10 a.m., Downtown Division officers were called by Emergency Medical Services (EMS) to 105 Avenue, just west of 101 Street. It was reported that a 32-year-old male sustained a gunshot wound, and was treated and transported to hospital. The male remains in hospital in serious condition.

No arrests have been made and the incident is still under investigation. Motorists are asked to avoid the area, as 105 Avenue from 101 Street to 102 Street will be closed for the next several hours.

Anyone who has information about the shooting is asked to contact the EPS at 780-423-4567 or #377 from a mobile phone. Anonymous information can also be submitted to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 or online at http://ift.tt/1az8Eve.

from Media Releases http://ift.tt/1zUueVn