A few weeks ago, friends in Fairview described their last 6 months of horror and I feel that everyone in the city should know what happened, and more importantly, the fantastic resource we have in the city to help us to keep our communities safe.
It was a quiet street in Fairview until a rental property, a few doors down from my friends, became the host of undesirables. It wasn’t long until the traffic pattern of the street changed, and it became apparent that there were illegal drug transactions and, subsequently, overdoses occurring on the street. Then the male prostitutes arrived to share the accommodations, plying their trade in cars, in front of family homes. Car break-ins, vandalism and graffiti increased. Our friends and their neighbours had had enough, but what could they do? After one of the drug overdose experiences in the back alley the police at the scene told them about SCAN.
What is SCAN?
SCAN is the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Unit. It aims to make communities safer by using civil legislations to target residential and commercial problem properties where specified illegal activity is occurring regularly. This includes drug trafficking, prostitution and gang-related crime.
When a community member reports a problem property to SCAN, the unit will begin an investigation. Once activity is confirmed, investigators will begin the process to remove the problem from the property. SCAN targets properties, not people. Criminal activity uncovered during the investigation will be turned over to CPS and they will work with SCAN investigators to resolve the issue.
What to Watch for:
- Residents rarely seen
- Frequent visitors and unusual traffic at odd times of the day or night
- People repeatedly visiting the property who only go to the door for short durations
- Increased vehicle or foot traffic
- Frequent late-night activity
- Windows blackened or curtains always drawn
- Extensive home security
- Neglected property and yard
- Presence of drug paraphernalia or strange odours coming from the property
- Residents who regularly meet vehicles near the property for short periods of time
What to Do:
Do not investigate yourself or approach the occupants. Contact CPS and/or SCAN.
- SCAN: 1-866-960-7226 or www.scan.alberta.ca
- CPS: 403-266-1234
