In Crestview last year, a resident reported some suspicious activity at a home to the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods (SCAN) unit.

Under civil legislation, the confidential, complaint-driven process investigates suspected habitual illegal activities, most often bootlegging and drug trafficking, that are causing a neighbourhood to become unsafe.

The unit began investigating the home.

Director Jeff Ford wouldn’t comment on this specific case, but said typically, these investigations involve some form of surveillance.

It found the house had become a “considerable hub” for drug trafficking by its tenant.

The owner, who was renting out the suite, was unaware of what was going on, and didn’t know the tenant had a lengthy criminal record involving drug-related violence.

“He was fearful of attending his rental house once he became aware of the scale and recurring nature of illegal activity at his property, in this case, distribution of crack cocaine,” Ford said.

Once it gathered sufficient evidence and notified the owner of its finding, the SCAN unit issued a five-day eviction notice – because SCAN falls under civil legislation, it doesn’t have authority to press criminal charges. The tenant willingly left the property.

That’s when the SCAN unit found fortified steel bars had been added to the suite entrance without the owner’s knowledge – which can be an indication of illegal activity being conducted.

Within a week of the tenant’s departure, criminal charges unrelated to SCAN’s investigation were laid by the RCMP, said Ford.

In 2014, SCAN conducted eight other detailed investigations that led to evictions or formal warnings. The unit received 55 complaints.

“It’s a civil remedy,” said Ford. “When activity seems to be habitual and ongoing and not a single incident, then we are a lawful option that Yukoners can look to.”

SCAN legislation, enacted in the Yukon in 2006, is also in place in some provinces. It focuses on community safety and whether suspected illegal activity is negatively affecting a neighbourhood.

“It was in response to properties where there may be numerous calls to service for the RCMP over the years, related to disturbances or violence or complaints of drug trafficking,” said Ford.

“You’d even see arrests at these particular properties, but the activity would continue and it would continue to adversely affect the community, despite the best efforts of the police.”

“This is seen as a way of essentially focusing on the property and whether or not the property is a source of harm to the community.”

The evidence gathered by investigators must show that illegal activities are occurring on a “balance of probabilities,” according to the SCAN Act.

This differs from criminal legislation, which requires the Crown to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that an accused committed a specific crime.

Under the act, there are different ways the unit can deal with criminal goings-on.

If investigators find there’s a “low level” of trafficking or bootlegging, they’d issue a written warning to the tenants, Ford said.

If the activity is serious and harming the community, with the owner’s permission, they could issue a five-day eviction notice.

The unit might also strike an informal agreement between Ford, the owner and the tenant for the activity to cease. A community safety order that closes the property for 90 days is another option.

Only one such order has been implemented so far – two years ago at a home in Porter Creek where alcohol was being sold illegally.

The SCAN unit is separate from the RCMP, but it does notify them of its investigations, said Ford.

Whitehorse RCMP Cpl. Natasha Dunmall said safer communities are a priority for both the police and the SCAN unit.

“Concerned citizens can report their concerns of illegal activities taking place in their neighbourhood to both the RCMP or SCAN unit,” she said in an email this morning. 

“Without discussing active investigations, it is always beneficial when the two organizations work together to ensure safer Yukon communities.”

On average, the unit receives 50 to 60 complaints per year in Whitehorse and the communities.

“Yukoners deserve to feel safe in our communities,” new Justice Minister Brad Cathers said in a statement last week. “SCAN gives Yukoners an effective avenue to report illegal activities in their neighbourhoods.”

People with concerns about drug trafficking or bootlegging at residential or commercial properties can make a complaint by calling 456-SCAN (7226) or toll-free at 1-866-530-7226.

They also also submit an online complaint form at www.scanyukon.ca.

Complaints are confidential.