Residents of a Castle Downs seniors complex say a neighbouring property shut down by sheriff’s officers this spring for drug activity is once again attracting constant traffic. The derelict north-side home was abuzz Friday with the obvious sights and sounds of a bicycle chop shop. A wagon loaded with material was pulled into the yard, which had once been fenced off. Two people arrived at a back gate with three bikes and a baby stroller piled with bags. A man lit a midday fire in a backyard barrel before cleaning a frying pan. It’s a snapshot of what residents say they’ve endured for the past two years. The property’s back fence borders the parking lot of Lions Village Castle Downs, a seniors’ complex home to about 180 residents. Jaimie Martin, the complex’s property manager, told CTV News Edmonton that concerns about safety, nuisance activity and enforcement began after the property’s owner died a few years ago. Alberta sheriffs enforced a 90-day closure order earlier this year following a year-long investigation, boarding up and fencing off the property. A public health inspector also deemed the house unfit for human habitation after finding a kitchen sink with no plumbing, propane tanks used for heating and no smoke alarms. “It was glorious,” Martin said, recalling the relative peace during the three-month closure after months of suspicious activity. But when the order was lifted in early July, the fences came down, the boards were removed from the windows and doors, “and it was business as usual,” she said. “The activity just resumed,” Martin said. “It’s been escalating since then.” Resident Jerika Gajewski, whose balcony overlooks the property and parking lot, described backyard fires being set for heat during the winter, bike parts being transported to and from the home, stolen licence plates taken from vehicles in the parking lot and residents living in fear. “There are people with walkers and people with walking sticks walking by, and everybody is looking around because it’s scary and it’s frightening when you’re on your own,” Gajewski said Friday. Martin said the constant foot traffic and nuisance activity have become exhausting for residents. “People are walking here constantly, looking into cars, dropping garbage and generally creating chaos,” she said. “I’ve known residents who wait inside the doors and look out to see if it’s safe to leave their home and go to their cars.” Area city Coun. Karen Principe told CTV News Edmonton her office became aware of the problem property about a year ago and escalated concerns to city staff. “People have the right to feel safe in their home, in their community and in their city,” Principe said Friday, adding a task force involving municipal and provincial agencies is aware of the situation. “It’s unfortunate that many folks aren’t feeling safe.” A spokesperson for Alberta’s Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Services said the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods unit has investigated the property multiple times and continues to do so. “Addressing complex problem properties often requires a coordinated approach involving several agencies and legal processes,” Sheena Campbell, the ministry’s director of communications, said in a statement Friday. Martin said residents at Lions Village have been instructed to continue reporting suspicious activity to police. “We would just like someone to do something,” Martin said. “Please.” With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Jeremy Thompson
