A home in northeast Edmonton that was the scene of a homicide in 2017 has been shut down by Alberta Sheriffs.
A court order was obtained to shut down the house in the area of 118 Avenue and 54 Street. The home was known for ongoing criminal activity, including drugs, and was visited by police 31 times last year, according to Alberta Justice.
“This house has been a prolific drug house in this neighbourhood, problem house for at least the past 15 months,” said Insp. Chip Sawchuk, manager of the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit.
“It was definitely a safety hazard for the people in this area.”
The SCAN unit began its investigation in January 2017 after a complaint about drug activity at the house. A high number of people were coming and going from the property and Alberta Justice said investigators found evidence pointing to drug use.
In July, a woman was seriously injured in a shooting at the property. Shortly after, SCAN issued a warning to owner of the property that the home would be shut down if the criminal activity continued.
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Then in August, a man died from a stab wound following a fight in the front yard.
“It was basically turning into a flop house and we were having all kinds of problems in the community,” Sawchuk said.
READ MORE: Fatal stabbing under investigation in northeast Edmonton neighbourhood
The house was also becoming a “significant drain on police resources,” according to the province. Edmonton police officers had visited the home 31 times in 2017.
“The crime, disorder and the untidiness of this residence had an effect on everybody,” Edmonton Police Service Staff Sgt. David Goodkey said.
The house was boarded up and fenced off at noon on Wednesday and will remain that way for 90 days. Those living in the house must leave the property. The court order also bans the property owner from having any visitors or tenants for two years, unless approved by SCAN.
If after 90 days the disorder continues, Sawchuk said SCAN could seek another closure order. There are also charges that could be laid under the SCAN Act.
The cost to shut down properties like this ranges anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000, Sawchuk said. Some of that cost can be charged back to the owner of the property through the courts, according to Sawchuk.
SCAN was formed in 2008 and works with other law enforcement agencies to shut down properties being used for illegal activities.
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