Violent assault, stabbings, home invasion reports shut down property in central Alberta

Street view of a property at 4011 45A Street in Ponoka, Alta. (Source: Google Maps)

Alberta Sheriffs shut down a property in the town of Ponoka on Wednesday after continued reports from surrounding residents of drug use, assaults, home invasions and other crime-related activity.

The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit began investigating a property at 4011 45A Street in October 2024 after neighbours complained of a high volume of people coming in and out of the house at all hours.

Police say they were called multiple times in the last two years for incidents relating to the property, including home invasions, violent assaults, stabbings, overdoses, fires and thefts.

SCAN issued a warning to the property owner in January of last year, which reduced the frequency of complaints until May.

This led to investigators pursuing a community safety order from the Court of King’s Bench. Starting Wednesday at 12 p.m., everyone including the owner is barred from entering the property for the next 90 days. All locks are to be changed and the property will be boarded up and fenced off.

SCAN inspectors said in a news release that the closure addresses a “longstanding nuisance” in an “otherwise peaceful neighbourhood” surrounded by parks, green spaces and sports fields.

Other conditions under the community safety order will stay in place until June 16, 2028. The investigation into the property and its occupants is ongoing.