Back to SearchBy Order of the Superior Court of Justice and with consent from the Chief of Police and awareness of the Ministry of the Attorney General, the City of St. Catharines has posted and carried out enforcement of a Closure Order at a Duke Street property in the interest of public safety and in response to repeated police calls, EMS and fire calls, property standards complaints and ongoing illegal activity.
Since mid-2023, the property at 5 Duke St. has been the subject of serious and repeated concerns, including numerous police, EMS, and fire responses, City by-law complaints, and unsafe and illegal activity. The site has been the source of nearly two dozen calls for St. Catharines Fire Services since that time due to fires, medical emergencies and other investigations. In 2024, the Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) responded to more than 52 calls for service, ranging from alleged illegal activity and illicit drug use to noise complaints. City By-Law Enforcement officers have also responded to 18 property maintenance complaints – the majority of which resulted in orders to comply under the City’s Waste By-law.
Despite extensive efforts to resolve these issues through engagement and enforcement, the situation persisted, putting the safety of neighbours, first responders, and the broader community at risk.
Working in close partnership with the NRPS and other partners, the City pursued all available options to address the source of these ongoing and serious concerns. Ultimately, with consent from the Chief of Police and awareness of the Ministry of the Attorney General, the City brought forward a court application for a Closing Order under the Municipal Act. On Sept. 22, 2025, the Ontario Superior Court of Justice granted the Closing Order for a period of 12 months, effective immediately — declaring the activities at the property to be a public nuisance with ongoing, negative impacts on the surrounding community.
City officials posted the Closing Order and conducted enforcement at the property on Wednesday, Sept. 24, which included removal of refuse that included unsafe items due to illegal activity and human waste, and the grass and weeds were cut. A dog was also removed from the dwelling and is in the care of the Greater Niagara Humane Society.
Under the Closure Order, no individuals are permitted into the dwelling until the 12-month order has ended. The property has been secured, and emergency services will continue to monitor the site to ensure there is no unauthorized entry during the period of the Order.
This was not a decision the City took lightly. A court-ordered closure is a rare and serious measure — but in this case, it was necessary and the most effective means to protect the community. It directly responds to the long-standing concerns raised by residents, emergency services, and local officials, and marks a critical step in restoring safety, peace of mind, and stability in the neighbourhood.
By closing the dwelling, the City is also reducing the unsustainable burden placed on police, fire, and EMS, allowing those critical resources to be redirected toward broader community needs.
The City thanks the Niagara Regional Police Service and its enforcement partners for ongoing collaboration in this matter. The City will continue to use every available tool to ensure that our neighbourhoods are safe, respectful, and livable — and that all residents can enjoy their community without fear or disruption. The City remains firmly committed to the safety, well-being, and quality of life of the community.
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