Southside home shut down by SCAN -- LNN

By Sarah Jones

Lethbridge drug house across from elementary school is shut down

Apr 8, 2021 | 3:22 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB. — Just across the way from Lakeview Elementary School, a drug house has been shut down, in response to the unwanted activity and neighbour complaints.

Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) has been working on the case since September of 2020, and as of Thursday (Apr 8) with a Community Safety order from the Court of Queens Bench, which deemed the property unsafe, officers moved in. They boarded up the house, changed the locks, shut off the water, and fenced the property for 90 days.

SCAN notice on drug house that was shut down — LNN

All three tenants of the house were immediately terminated from the residence.

The property had already been of interest to the police, as many people connected to the house were allegedly well known in the drug sub-culture. LPS had been conducting traffic stops near-by, which led to seizure’s of drug paraphernalia and weapons. Two search warrants were conducted in the past, which led to the discovery of drugs, weapons, and $14,000 dollars in stolen equipment.

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Kelvin Hau, lead investigator with the Alberta’s Sheriff Scan unit, says that the home owner had been allowed his son, who had a drug problem, to stay at the property. However, the owner has since expressed interest in selling the property once the order is complete.

Hau had been working directly with neighbours who were making complaints and says “they are very rightfully fearful of their health, safety, and security.”

One complaint noted that an intoxicated individual was seen outside of the house stabbing a tree repeatedly with a knife. After further investigation, it was deemed drug activity and drug trafficking were talking place on the property which has led to the closure of the house until July 7.

The 90 day’s is put in place to help break the cycle of drug use taking place. After the 90 days are up, the homeowner will have complete control of the house. However the terms of the community safety orders will still be in place until July of next year.

The SCAN unit has been working in Alberta since 2008 and gives Sheriffs the authority to target problem communities. SCAN has investigated more than 5, 800 properties and issued over 90 community safety orders.

Kaycee Madu, Minster of Justice has expressed his satisfaction with how the case was handled.

“Properties that provide a haven for drug trafficking and other criminal activities can spread fear and anxiety throughout an entire neighbourhood. I applaud the Alberta Sheriffs and the Lethbridge Police Service for taking decisive action in this situation and helping Lethbridge residents once again feel safe in their homes and their neighbourhoods.”