Pubdate: Sat, 28 Mar 2015
Source: Calgary Herald (CN AB)
Copyright: 2015 Postmedia Network
Contact:  http://www.calgaryherald.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/66
Author: Erika Stark
Page: A10

COMMUNITY FEELS 'MUCH SAFER' AFTER POLICE SHUT DRUG DEN

The shuttering of a drug den in Marlborough Park that was the site of
three overdose deaths is a big win for the northeast community, the
president of the area's block watch says.

A four-month investigation by Calgary Police and Alberta Law
Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) began in November and resulted in a
90-day closure of the 108 Malvern Court N.E., beginning Friday.

ALERT's Safer Communities and Neighbourhood (SCAN) team obtained the
closure through a court order called a Community Safety Order.

Police have been called to the home 27 times since November, with
three of the calls relating to what they suspect were overdose deaths.
In December, they found heroin,drug paraphernalia and stolen property
during a search.

"Having SCAN come in and shut down houses like this make the whole
community feel so much safer," said Mary Ryan, the president of the
Marlborough Park Block Watch.

"Like everywhere in Calgary, we struggle with drug problems in the
neighbourhood. We've had serious problems here dating all the way back
since 2007."

Community members complained to SCAN about the number of people coming
and going from the house on a daily basis, said Insp. Mike Letourneau
with SCAN. In addition to being a hub for trafficking, there was also
rampant drug activity at the home itself. Glass, garbage and more than
100 used syringes were scattered throughout the home, he said.

"This was a really bad property for the community," Letourneau
said.

The homeowner - who lived in the house - got a warning letter in
December after police carried out a search warrant on the home, but
the activity actually got worse, he said.

The house is now closed for three months, with the locks changed and
windows and doors boarded up. The tenant is also barred from entering
the property, which will be fenced in.

A bank is also looking to foreclose on the property, and Letourneau
hopes that by the time the 90 days are up, the bank will have its
foreclosure and be able to put the property up for sale.
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MAP posted-by: Matt