The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit of the Alberta Sheriffs obtained a court order against the owner of 4805 44 Avenue, giving investigators the authority to close the property for 90 days, starting at noon on Nov. 12. Any tenancy agreement or lease is terminated effective that date, requiring the owners and all tenants to vacate the premises.
The community safety order, obtained in the Court of King’s Bench, bars people from the property until the closure period ends on Feb. 10, 2025. The property will be boarded up, fenced and all the locks will be changed. SCAN members will continue to monitor the property for activity while their investigation remains ongoing. Community safety order conditions remain in effect until Nov. 4, 2026.
“SCAN’s closure of this notorious property is a huge win for the residents of Beaumont. Alberta’s government is committed to doing whatever it takes to protect people, and shutdowns like this are key for bringing safety and stability back to suffering neighbourhoods. My thanks to the northern SCAN unit and all our law enforcement partners for their diligent work. I urge all Albertans to continue reporting suspicious activity in their area.”
"With today’s closure the SCAN unit and RCMP are alleviating the neighbourhood of the longstanding nuisance and threat to safety associated with this property. Residents continuing to speak up about problem properties in their neighbourhoods is key to supporting positive outcomes like this in the future. Across Alberta, SCAN and its partners are firmly committed to preserving public safety and stability for communities.”
“Since the beginning of the year there have been dozens of calls for service at this location which have had an unsettling impact on the community. Tremendous resources go into this type of enforcement activity and it’s thanks to the dedicated work of our SCAN partners and our own police officers that we have a favourable outcome.”
The Alberta Sheriffs work with other law enforcement agencies to shut down properties being used for illegal activities. The SCAN unit operates under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, which uses legal sanctions and court orders to hold owners accountable for illegal activity happening on their property.
Since its inception in 2008, Alberta’s SCAN unit has investigated more than 9,600 properties and issued 129 community safety orders. Most complaints are resolved by working with owners to stop the illegal activity on their property.
Quick facts
- Since March 8, 2024, the property had been the subject of five complaints, with local RCMP confirming that the residence had long been associated with drug and criminal activity in the community.
- Between February and August 2024, there were 19 incidents at the property. An additional five incidents in the area were also linked to the property.
Related information
Related news
- Sheriffs shut down drug house in Lethbridge (Sept. 4, 2024)
- Sheriffs close persistent problem property in Lethbridge (Aug. 22, 2024)
- Sheriffs shut down fifth alleged drug den (June 27, 2024)
MEDIA AVAILABILITY: Insp. Karleen Schenkey of SCAN and a RCMP representative will be available between 2 and 2:30 p.m. for on-camera interviews at 4805 44 Avenue in Beaumont.