Pubdate: Tue, 18 Dec 2001
Source: Cambridge Reporter, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2001 The Cambridge Reporter
Contact:  http://www.cambridge-reporter.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1470
Author: Jason Misner

HOME-GROWS HURTING NEIGHBOURHOODS: COWSILL

Hespeler Councillor Rick Cowsill says he doesn't think home-grow pot 
operations are epidemic in Cambridge and he wants it to stay that way.

Cowsill - whose ward hasn't been immune to home-grow pot operation busts - 
said the biggest problem they pose are the deterioration of neighbourhoods.

"One of the things that worries me is the criminal element is becoming 
very, very close to the neighbourhood and the character of the 
neighbourhood is suffering."

The Hespeler ward was subject to a major house fire at 369 Scott Rd. on 
Dec. 27, 2000, as the result of a home-grow pot operation that went wrong.

Due to hydro being bypassed - which means being stolen - the wires used to 
do that weren't secured and insulated properly and caused a fire. No one 
was seriously injured.

In such instances, the ground can be electrified and someone walking up to 
the hydro bypass area could easily be electrocuted, especially if the 
ground is wet.

Cambridge council voted unanimously last night to approve a motion brought 
forward by Councillor Karl Kiefer that was first introduced by Kitchener 
councillors last month. It recommends strict penalties against those who 
operate illegal pot-growing operations out of homes.

Waterloo Regional Police raids since the middle of 2000 have shut down more 
than 60 pot-growing operations.

Waterloo councillors have endorsed the Kitchener motion, which calls for a 
minimum of five years in jail for anyone caught growing marijuana in a 
residence.

In its motion, Kitchener council called on the provincial and federal 
governments to:

* Maintain the criminalization of marijuana.

* Give more of the proceeds seized from home-grow operations to local 
police to help them fight drugs.

* Consider giving fire prevention officials more power to inspect homes 
that may pose a risk to their occupants and neighbours.

* Make illegal drugs, organized crime and drug abuse a topic of debate at 
the next meeting of Canada's first ministers.

Cambridge Tory MPP Gerry Martiniuk said he supports the motion but said the 
issue of penalties for drugs is a federal government responsibility because 
it falls under the Criminal Code.

In fact, the convictions are so lenient it helps make pot-growing 
operations lucrative, he said, because there is little fear among criminals.
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