'IT'S ALL ABOUT DRUGS'

Theft Is On The Rise In The Gas City And Police Suspect The Motivation
Behind It Is Drugs.

Medicine Hat Police Service Insp. Murray Morton said the number of thefts
in the city increased in 2002 and his officers believe thieves are ripping
off items to pay for their drug habits.

"Most of our crime, break and enters and thefts, is related . . . to the
quick turn over of property into cash. You talk to any of the drug guys and
they say it goes hand in hand with each other," Morton told the police
commission on Thursday. "It's very difficult to know but from all the
information from the drug unit, it's hands down. It's all about drugs."

There were about 79 cases of theft over $5,000 in 2002, whereas there were
only approximately 60 in 2001, and 16 in 2000.

Car thefts in particular are increasing at an alarming rate, but Police
Chief Normand Boucher said it's not just Medicine Hat noticing the problem.

"We have an increase here, but there's an increase everywhere," said Boucher.

About 170 vehicles were stolen within city limits last year compared to
about 138 stolen in 2001.

A number of issues have combined to compound the problem, said Boucher.

With no government influence in insurance companies in Alberta, there are
no incentives for people to install security systems for less costly
premiums, he said. Also, car manufacturers are stamping fewer car parts
with serial numbers so it makes it difficult to mark a part as stolen.

"The problem is there's a number of vehicles that are easy to steal," he
said. "There's vehicle theft, and joyriding and vehicle theft for parts and
that's in line with organized crime."

Motorists don't realize car theft is a problem until it happens to them or
someone they know, said Morton.

It's also no use believing it doesn't happen in Medicine Hat.

"I believe it's just opportunity, and it relates to our drug problem."

There were about 261 reports of break and enter to residences in the Hat
last year and approximately 166 to businesses.