File photo of Lethbridge Police Service Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh. LPS works in partnership with the SCAN unit to close known drug houses. (Photo: Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

North Lethbridge drug house shut for second time this year

Aug 22, 2024 | 1:33 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Alberta Sheriffs have returned to a home in the city where crimes are known to have been committed.

The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) Unit has obtained a court order against the owner of 1607 3 Avenue North. They have the authority to close the property for 90 days, effective at noon on Thursday, August 22, 2024.

The property is being boarded up and fenced, and locks will be changed.

The order bars people from entering the property until November 20. All tenancy leases at the property have been terminated, meaning all residents have to leave immediately.

Alberta Sheriffs Deputy Chief Greg Medley says they hope to prevent the return of habitual ways for the property owner and to keep the community safe.

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“When we shut down a problem property, we do so with the intent of implementing a long-term solution to improve the safety of the surrounding community,” says Medley.

The closure was fast-tracked through the courts as this is not the first time this has happened.

It had previously been shuttered back in January of this year. At the time, the Lethbridge Police Service said their officers had been called to the house 36 times during a two-year period for drug-related activities.

The previous order ended on April 9, and approximately four months later on August 1, there was a suspected overdose death at the property.

Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh thanked the Sheriffs for their support in shutting the home down.

“Problem properties have a significant impact on the safety and well-being of a neighbourhood,” says Mehdizadeh. “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.”

Lethbridge got its own dedicated SCAN unit in November 2023. Prior to this, members would have to come down to the city from Calgary.

READ MORE: Drug house shut down in north Lethbridge

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