Officials set up a gate around the property. (Lethbridge News Now)

By David Opinko

North Lethbridge home, “an oasis of crime,” has been shut down

Sep 10, 2020 | 6:16 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Dozens of members of various law enforcement agencies, health inspectors, and utility providers were on hand as a problem drug house on Lethbridge’s north side was shut down Wednesday.

The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit of the Alberta Sheriffs worked with Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) to issue a Community Safety Order (CSO) for the house on 341 20 Street North.

Inspector Mike Letourneau with Alberta Sheriffs says their investigation dates back to October 2019 when seven community members contacted SCAN. Between January 2019 and July 2020, LPS responded to 47 calls at this property.

“There’s three warrants in approximately the last year and a half and they were seizing drugs, bikes – this is what’s referred to as almost a high-end bike [chop] shop because they’re cutting bikes, there were bike parts everywhere, there’s still bike parts left all over the yard – but this is a haven for stolen bikes.”

LPS Constable Ryan Darroch says this has lead to a long list of charges relating to stolen bikes, tools, property, cameras, methamphetamine, and fentanyl.

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Approximately $15,000 worth of stolen property was recovered by police.

Darroch called the house “an oasis of crime” for at least the past two years.

Letourneau elaborated on the CSO, saying that it allows them to board up the property, change the locks, erect a fence, and evict all current tenants. The property will be closed for the next 90 days, but the CSO will remain in effect for another nine months.

After that, SCAN investigators will continue to monitor the house.

He adds that the owner of the property has been “extremely absent”, and that throughout their entire investigation, they have not been able to get in touch with him.

As police started to enter the house, LNN observed two people who were inside come out with their bags and move them to the house next door. It is believed by LPS that the second property is owned by the same person.

“It’s one house at a time and if the activity continues and we simply moved it next door, we’ll be right all over this house,” says Letourneau. “If it’s the same property owner, which we have yet to confirm, but if it is, the same consequences are in place. We will go after a Community Safety Order for this property.”

To report a suspicious property anonymously, you can phone SCAN at 1-866-960-7226 or fill out the online form here.

Law enforcement members speak to a resident of the home. (Lethbridge News Now)

LPS vehicle parked outside the home prior to it being fenced. (Lethbridge News Now)