Offers of help trickle in for Galt Manor building owner whose property is overrun by addicts, criminals and squatters WARNING: Graphic photos of human waste

It’s absolutely useless he says.

“I could turn, in a shift, about 80 people away. And if I go for a coffee, at least half a dozen will get in. And as soon as I go home, they’re in.

“I’m not sure what happened here. All of a sudden, I had the odd tenant, that wasn’t good. I had some from all over and it got to a point where the gangs just started to arrive, and arrive, and arrive.”

Indeed, while being interviewed, a group of seven people came to the front door, wanting in. As soon as LNN pulled out a camera, they quickly dispersed. About 15 minutes later, a group of men came to the door – different people this time. LNN took out a camera again and began videotaping. Again, everyone left.

Two weeks ago (Nov.9), Lethbridge Police executed a search warrant on an apartment in the building, arresting a man and woman on weapons, drug and stolen property charges. Seven adults and two children were in the home at the time.

Not long after that, Cutler says inspectors came to the building, giving him a huge list of repairs and cleaning that needed to be completed. The building was then condemned.

He says he’s tried approaching members of Lethbridge City Council, and is very blunt in his criticism and what he calls a lack of interest or effort on council’s behalf in his dilemma.

“The whole city ignores it. I only had one councillor come down here, Ryan Parker. I button-holed the mayor on the street, and he assured me that they were moving slowly, and once the injection centre is opened – ah, they all have another meeting to go to.

“The police are very good, but powerless. Absolutely powerless. They can come in here, drag them all out and that’s it, unless they have an outstanding warrant.”

The inside of the building is much, much worse than the outside. The carpets are covered in garbage including needles, rotting food, paper plates, condoms and more human waste.

Walls are covered in graffiti, needle bins are overflowing, and there are electrical cords running from the hallway into one suite where the tenants have had their electricity shut off.

Cutler says one or two people have stepped forward to try and help him, but for the most part, he’s on his own. A local husband and wife cleaning team contacted LNN to let us know they’d help him clean his property up, if he supplied the materials.

“I don’t know the people, I know they’re well intentioned, but I don’t know whether they’ve dealt with this kind of situation before.

“I can’t even get a plumber to go in the rooms,” he says. “I don’t know if I could even handle help. It’s been a long time.”

Raymond Daniel says he and his wife used to volunteer their services to clean churches in Calgary, and they heard about Cutler’s story.

But at this point, Cutler says he’s broke and can’t afford to make any repairs or put any more money into the building. He says he’s not sure what he’ll do, but is entertaining any offers from anyone who might want it.

“I could have lost it on the stock market, I suppose. I would have had more fun.

“Make me an offer. Look at it, it’s a drug hole.”

LNN has contacted City Hall for their response to Cutler’s criticism. We have been told, Mayor Chris Spearman will offer a response.

by Lara Fominoff @fomsy1 on Twitter

Offers of help trickle in for Galt Manor building owner whose property is overrun by addicts, criminals and squatters WARNING: Graphic photos of human waste

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