The Alberta Sheriffs have closed a problem property in Lethbridge for the second time this year, following ongoing illegal activities and community concerns.
LETHBRIDGE, AB – The Alberta Sheriffs have taken decisive action to shut down a persistent problem property in Lethbridge for the second time in less than a year. The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit obtained a court order to close the drug house at 1607 3 Avenue N, effective August 22, 2024, after illegal activities continued despite previous interventions.
The court order from the Court of King’s Bench mandates a 90-day closure of the property, terminating all tenancy agreements and requiring all occupants to vacate immediately. The property will be secured with boards, fencing, and new locks, remaining closed until November 20, 2024.
This property was first closed on January 10, 2024, following repeated police visits and community complaints about drug-related activities. Although it reopened on April 9 with conditions to prevent further illegal activities, those measures failed to curb the ongoing issues. In response, SCAN successfully applied for a new community safety order to fast-track the closure, aiming to safeguard the neighborhood and encourage the property’s sale to a more responsible owner.
Mike Ellis, Alberta’s Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services, praised the swift action, stating, “This closure sends a clear message: Alberta will relentlessly pursue action against any activities that jeopardize the safety of our communities.”
Greg Medley, Deputy Chief of the Alberta Sheriffs, emphasized the long-term goal of these closures. “By shutting down this property again, we are preventing a return to criminal activity and reinforcing our commitment to keeping Alberta communities safe.”
Lethbridge Police Service Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh noted the significant impact of such problem properties on local neighborhoods. “Our mission is to ensure safe communities, and we will continue to work with SCAN to eliminate criminal activity and restore peace in Lethbridge.”
The SCAN unit, operating under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, collaborates with other law enforcement agencies to address properties involved in illegal activities, holding property owners accountable through legal sanctions and court orders.
Quick Facts:
- The first court-ordered closure of the property ended on April 9, 2024.
- Alberta Health Services declared the property unfit for human habitation on July 31, 2024, with tenants vacating by August 7.
- A suspected overdose death occurred at the property on August 1, 2024.
- Efforts to sell the property are ongoing, with the latest closure expected to facilitate a new sale attempt by the mortgage holder.
