Pubdate: Tue, 08 Mar 2005 Source: Toronto Star (CN ON) Copyright: 2005 The Toronto Star Contact: http://www.thestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/456 Author: Betsy Powell Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) POLICE PUSH FOR TEAM TO TARGET GROW OPS Drug Squad Can't Keep Up Start-Up Budget Estimated At $2.1M Toronto police want to establish a new green squad to deal with the proliferation of marijuana grow operations in the city, similar to the Vancouver Police Department's Growbusters. Citing concerns about safety, environmental hazards and organized crime, police are asking the Toronto Police Services Board to consider their request to establish a 15-member team including two detectives, 12 detective constables and one civilian. The team's mandate would be to dismantle grow operations that require "immediate police intervention, such as those discovered due to floods, fires or during other investigations," says the report prepared by the police service, dated Feb. 22 and signed by former chief Julian Fantino. The proposal is on the agenda of today's board meeting. Officers on the proposed team would also be engaged in "proactive" investigations, such as investigating tips from the public as well as preparing search warrants, court cases, and dealing with the disposal of seized plants and equipment. "It is apparent that the TDS (Toronto Drug Squad) cannot continue to adequately fulfil its overall mandate of drug enforcement, while assuming the existing responsibility for the proliferation of grow operations, without the allocation of additional resources," says the report. In 2004, the drug squad "attended, assessed, and assisted with the investigation and dismantling of 320 grow operations," the report said. It's a dramatic increase compared to the 81 investigations conducted in 2002. The proposed team would fall under the command of the drug squad and be divided into two groups of specially trained officers working staggered shifts. Police estimate the team's start-up budget would be about $2.1 million in personnel and equipment costs, with that decreasing in subsequent years after the required equipment is purchased. The report concludes that a permissive public attitude, among other things, has resulted in "a shift in the nature and location of indoor grow operations, from large-scale operations in suburban detached homes producing crops of 300 to 500 plants, to smaller-size operations in apartment units and smaller homes that are located in more densely populated inner-city areas." The report includes a breakdown of costs associated with staff and equipment. Officers would require non-standard police-issue items such as helmets, raid jackets, respirators, repel suits and work gloves. The team would also need a camcorder, cargo van as well as "dismantling tools," such as wire cutters, pliers, a ladder and one generator, approximate cost $4,000: "due to the dangers of electrocution, members must have an alternative power supply source available when dismantling." Assistant Deputy Chief Emory Gilbert of policing support command is scheduled to attend today to respond to board members' questions. The report was prepared in response to a request by city hall long before last week's slaying of four RCMP constables in Alberta that was initially linked to a police raid on a suspected grow op. Interim police Chief Mike Boyd's reaction to the tragedy last week was in sharp contrast to other law enforcement officials and politicians who immediately pressed for a crackdown and tougher sentences on marijuana grow operators. He said the focus at this time should be on the dead officers, not on pushing a specific agenda. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin