13-07-2025
Police, bylaw secure 8 vacant Sault Ste. Marie buildings
he Sault Ste. Marie Police Service's Division 2 location is on Brock Street at the corner of Wellington Street East downtown. The new site is beginning initial operations on April 28, 2025 and opened to the public on May 27, 2025. (File photo/Supplied/Sault Ste. Marie Police Service)
Police and bylaw officers inspected 22 vacant properties in Sault Ste. Marie's downtown core last week as part of an ongoing effort to address safety concerns and unlawful activity.
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service's newly formed Division 2 Patrol Services Unit
Sault Ste. Marie Police Service's Division 2 Patrol Services Unit is shown in this undated photo. From left to right: Const. Oladele Oworu, Const. Fred Brown, Sgt. Derek MacFarlane, Const. Jaimie Peace and Const. David Peck (File photo/Supplied/Sault Ste. Marie Police Service)
On July 8, the officers from Sault Ste. Marie Police Service's Division 2 Unit, in partnership with City of Sault Ste. Marie By-law Enforcement, conducted inspections through the Integrated Municipal Enforcement Team. The team was established in 2020 as a partnership between police, fire services, bylaw enforcement, the housing commission, and other agencies to develop action plans to address community concerns, including identifying neglected or unsafe properties. One of its key roles is locating buildings in disrepair that pose risks to tenants and the public.
July's operation targeted properties with prior by-law violations, focusing on securing structures to prevent unauthorized entry to reduce illegal activity linked to vacant properties, and support the city's efforts to maintain neighbourhood safety.
Eight of the 22 properties required additional securing.
'During the inspections, each property was assessed for security issues such as unlocked doors, unsealed windows, or boards having been removed to allow for entry,' police said in a news release.
'At properties which were not properly secured, officers entered to ensure no one was there unlawfully.'
Two individuals were charged under the Trespass to Property Act.
'The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service remains committed to strengthening community safety in the downtown core,' concluded the release.
