The Beverly Motel in east Edmonton has been forced to shut down for 30 days after it has been linked to drug trafficking and prostitution.
The closure was ordered after an investigation was launched by Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams' Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods unit (SCAN).
SCAN began the investigation after receiving numerous public complaints that the 17-room motel located at 44 St. and 118 Ave. was allegedly being used for illegal activity.
This is the first time a motel has been shut down using SCAN legislation in Canada. An undercover police officer tells CTV News says she has seen crack pipes and marijuana pipes on display at the front desk.
The closure is a relief for one mom who lives nearby the motel.
"My 16-year-old daughter gets harassed all the time," said Keri McFarlane.
During the 30-day closure, the owners of the motel and one long-term resident, an elderly woman, will be allowed to continue living at the motel.
The owners must now abide by the following conditions:
- Complete renovations that will bring the property up to Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association standards
- Require a credit card deposit on all rooms rented along with government photo identification
- Keep a proper guest registry
"They're going to have to take I.D.s from all the people coming in, government I.D.s , they're going to have to make sure they have a credit card, an approved credit card so they're going to have to follow other standards as well," said Chip Sawchuk, acting manager of the SCAN unit.
But some now question if the illegal activity will now move on to another neighbourhood.
"They gotta do it someplace, better here, more public than in my back alley," said resident Tony Van der Mark.
If the conditions are not met, more legal action could be taken, which includes applying to the courts to close the property for 90 days.
Police claim that since 1996, more than 800 occurrences related to the motel have been reported.
With files from David Ewasuk
