Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN)

On any block and in any neighbourhood, it only takes one house that is harbouring illegal activities to undermine the safety of all residents of that community and affect the property values throughout that neighbourhood.

The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) legislation is intended to empower residents to take back their neighbourhoods by reporting problem residences or businesses that are habitually used for illegal activities. These activities could include drugs, prostitution, gang or criminal activities, child sexual abuse or the unlawful sale or consumption of alcohol.

The legislation also includes a process for police to address public safety concerns related to fortified buildings and/or the surrounding land. It promotes community safety by cleaning up properties that negatively affect the health, safety or security of a person or people in a neighbourhood, and that interferes with the peaceful enjoyment of their properties.

There are some common signs that illegal activities are taking place in a home or business, particularly if they happen in combination with each other, and frequently. Here are some things to watch for:

• frequent visitors - often driving expensive vehicles - at all times of the day and night
• frequent late night activity
• blackened windows or curtains always drawn
• unfriendly people who appear to be secretive about their activities
• people watching cars suspiciously as they drive by
• heavy home security installations
• strange odours coming from the building or garbage
• garbage that contains an unusually large number of bottles or containers, especially chemical containers
• placing garbage in a neighbour's collection area

If you are concerned about a property in your neighbourhood, do not investigate it yourself or approach the occupants. Instead, report your concern confidentially to a SCAN Investigation Unit. If there is enough evidence, an investigation will take place. Depending on the results of the investigation actions taken could include:

• sending a warning letter to the property owner;
• resolving the problem out of court;
• applying for a Community Safety Order, with or without a closure order against the property; or
• applying immediately for an order to close the property.

Anyone occupying a property closed by a Community Safety Order must leave it immediately, and may be removed if they refuse. No one can enter or occupy the property without the consent of CPSP's Director of Community Operations.

Commercial and residential tenants in a property subject to an order, who have not been involved in any illegal activities, can apply to the court within 14 days to be allowed to return to the property.

If you are suspicious of a property in your neighbourhood, do not investigate it yourself or approach the occupants. Please call the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Investigation Unit immediately. There is an Investigation Unit in both Saskatoon and Regina. To contact the Regina office, call (306) 787-0400. To contact the Saskatoon office, call (306) 933-8373. Or call the toll free number at 1-866-51-SAFER.