SCAN closes northside house for second time
By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on August 23, 2024.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com A northside Lethbridge house has been shuttered for the second time this year by the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods unit of the Alberta Sheriffs.On Jan. 10, SCAN closed down 1607 3 Ave. N. for 90 days after obtaining a court order against its owner.
On Thursday, SCAN said it had obtained another order which gives investigators authority to close the house for a further 90 days. That closure came into effect on Thursday.
The community safety order, which was obtained in Court of King’s Bench, bars people from the property until the closure period ends on Nov. 20, said SCAN.
The property is to be boarded up and fenced and the locks will be changed.
The first closure this year came after repeated visits from city police and complaints from area residents about recurring drug trafficking.
Between Sept. 1 2021 and Aug. 28 of last year, city police attended the property 36 times for various types of calls. Eight neighbourhood complainants also contacted SCAN.
While the first closure ended on April 9, SCAN says conditions remained in place to prohibit further drug-related activity at the house.
SCAN had evidence illegal activities were continuing and successfully applied for another CSO. This closure, said SCAN, “was fast-tracked with the safety and comfort of area residents in mind and to expedite and encourage the property’s sale to a different owner.”
Alberta Health Services ordered the property closed for being unfit for human habitation on July 31 with all tenants being required to vacate it by Aug. 7.
On Aug. 1, there was a suspected overdose death at the property.
In a statement, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services Mike Ellis said “my thanks and appreciation go to SCAN and the Lethbridge Police Service for acting for swiftly and decisively to close this known problem property. Let this be a lesson to prolific and prospective offenders — Alberta’s government and its partners will always be relentless in pursuing action against any activities that put the lives and livelihoods of Albertans at risk.”
Lethbridge Police Service chief Shahin Mehdizadeh said in the same statement that “Problem properties have a significant impact on the safety and well-being of a neighbourhood. Our mission is to provide a safe community for all and we will continue working collaboratively with SCAN to target criminal
activity and help restore peace and security to Lethbridge neighbourhoods.”
Attempts have been made by the lienholder to sell the property, says SCAN, with a deal to sell falling through in June. The new closure will enable the mortgage company to try another attempt at selling the property. 3
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