Penbrooke drug house shuttered after 100 police visits
Police found bullets in walls, ceiling of home and witnesses drug activity
Neighbours of a notorious drug house in Calgary's Penbrooke community that has been visited by police nearly 100 times over the past two years will finally enjoy some peace and quiet over the holidays.
Police visited 202 Penworth Dr. S.E. on Tuesday to shut it down and board it up.
- MORE POLICE NEWS | Man accused of making up carjacking story to conceal hit and run
- MORE POLICE NEWS | Tweeting checkstop locations could be fatal: Calgary police
After numerous neighbour complaints about drug activity at the home, Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT) launched a five-month investigation through their Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods team (SCAN).
"The people in this community were absolutely terrified of what was going on at this property," said Insp. Mike Letourneau of SCAN, adding that it's one of the five worst drug houses he's seen.
SCAN uses civil legislation to target problem properties around the province that are used for illegal purposes such as prostitution, gang activity, drug use and drug trafficking.
After investigators witnessed drug activity at the Penworth address, a community safety order was issued.
The house will be boarded up, fenced off and its locks changed. The owner and tenants will not be allowed in for 90 days.
Homeowner and her son
The homeowner is a woman whose son was the main occupant, said Letourneau. The son faces drug-related charges in connection with several police visits to the home.
When the eviction period is up, the homeowner will be allowed to rent the house out. She was also living in the house when the illegal activity was taking place, according to police.
"Hopefully she makes some good decisions and gets some good people in here," said Letourneau.
Both ALERT and city police say people in the community were instrumental in getting the court order to get the house closed.
The activity at the home over the past two years has been a "huge strain" on police resources, said Letourneau — with 98 police visits and several charges being laid.
"[Inside] you'd see a home that's unkept, unclean and somewhere where most people wouldn't even consider living," said Staff Sgt Geoff Gawlinski with the Calgary Police Service.
Marijuana, methamphetamines, heroine and cocaine have all been found in the house, says Gawlinski.
Shooting in the house
One of the major catalysts in getting the house shuttered was an incident in July when shots were fired inside. Officers discovered bullets lodged in the walls and ceiling.
That's what spurred neighbour Stephanie Castles into action.
"I believe if you keep your head down, criminal activity doesn't really affect you too much if you're not of that element," said Castles. "That said, there's kids that live right next door and I'm a mom and I just wouldn't hae been able to live with myself if there'd been an incident."
There are several related investigations ongoing and police haven't ruled out laying further charges.
ALERT is a compilation of provincial police bodies that includes Alberta Sheriffs, Calgary Police Service, Edmonton Police Service, Lethbridge Regional Police Service, Medicine Hat Police Service, and RCMP.
This operation consisted of Alberta sheriffs and Calgary police officers.