On November 19, 2025, officers with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service’s Division 2 Unit and Central Support Bureau, in partnership with The City of Sault Ste. Marie By-Law Enforcement, conducted an Integrated Municipal Enforcement Team (IMET) operation to address concerns related to vacant properties in the downtown core.
As a result of this operation, 40 vacant properties with prior by-law violation notices were inspected—five of which required securing by a contractor to prevent unlawful entries.
Although there was evidence of people unlawfully dwelling inside the five vacant properties cleared by officers, no one was located inside at the time.
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. At properties which were not properly secured, officers entered to ensure no one was there unlawfully.
These measures are intended to ensure people are not entering unsafe structures, reduce illegal activity associated with vacant properties, and support the City of Sault Ste. Marie’s efforts to maintain safe and secure neighbourhoods.
The Sault Ste. Marie Police Service remains committed to strengthening community safety in the downtown core and throughout Sault Ste. Marie and Prince Township.
