Alberta Sheriffs have shut down a property in Olds where suspected drug activity was reported near playgrounds and other community spaces. In a Tuesday news release, the province said the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit of Alberta Sheriffs obtained a community safety order in the Court of King’s Bench against the owner of 5222 42 Street. The property was closed for 90 days beginning Oct. 7 at noon, and all individuals, including the property owner, were ordered to vacate. Related Stories: Heightened police presence reported in Olds; RCMP say no risk to public According to the Government of Alberta, the order “bars all people from the property until the closure period ends on Jan. 5, 2026, and prohibits certain individuals from accessing the property altogether.” The release states the building “will be boarded up, fenced and all the locks will be changed,” and that SCAN members “will continue to monitor the property for activity while their investigation remains ongoing.” Community safety order conditions will remain in effect until Jan. 5, 2028, according to the province. “SCAN now adds Olds to the long and growing list of Alberta communities that have benefited from its diligent investigative work,” said Public Safety and Emergency Services Minister Mike Ellis. “My thanks to members of the southern SCAN unit and the RCMP for the closure of another disruptive problem property that posed a risk to nearby playgrounds and the surrounding community and threatened public safety. Criminal activity has no home in our province.” “Close collaboration with local police was essential for a successful investigation of this property and I thank the Olds RCMP for its partnership on this file. Residents are relieved to see this property close, putting an end to the illegal activities centred around it. Here and across Alberta, SCAN is dedicated to maintaining the peace and safety of neighbourhoods and communities,” said Brent Pickard, inspector, SCAN. “Olds RCMP remains fully committed to building safer communities by working in partnership with our community as well as through investigative and enforcement efforts to achieve this goal. Olds RCMP would like to thank the Olds RCMP crime reduction member on conducting an excellent investigation and the Alberta Sheriffs SCAN unit for its assistance during this project,” said Staff Sgt. Jamie Day, detachment commander, Olds RCMP. According to the province, between February 2022 and May 2025, RCMP attended the property 65 times for various calls for service. Police executed three search warrants between January 2024 and April 2025, during which “stolen property, illegal drugs and drug paraphernalia were recovered.” The release adds that SCAN investigators and RCMP “continued to receive complaints of suspected drug and criminal activities at the property throughout the course of their investigation and observed activity consistent with drug dealing.” The Government of Alberta said the SCAN unit operates under the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, which “uses legal sanctions and court orders to hold owners accountable for illegal activity happening on their property.” Since its creation in 2008, “SCAN has investigated more than 10,000 properties and has issued more than 135 community safety orders,” the province said. Earlier on Tuesday, RCMP advised residents to avoid the same area due to a heavy police presence. In a Facebook post, Olds RCMP said there was “a heightened police presence in the area of 42nd Street in Olds, Alberta.” Police added that “there is no risk to the public,” and asked residents to “avoid the area and refrain from taking pictures or sharing information related to the event.” RCMP said “updates will be provided as necessary.” Sign up to get the latest local news headlines delivered directly to your inbox every afternoon. Send your news tips, story ideas, pictures, and videos to news@discoverairdrie.com. You can also message and follow us on Twitter: @AIR1061FM. DiscoverAirdrie encourages you to get your news directly from your trusted source by bookmarking this page and downloading the DiscoverAirdrie app. To hear more on this story and others, stream us live here.