Pubdate: Wed, 09 Aug 2006
Source: Kitchener-Waterloo Record (CN ON)
Copyright: 2006 Kitchener-Waterloo Record
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Stephanie Maclellan
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

POLICE WEBSITE LISTS GUELPH GROW OPS

GUELPH - Guelph police say a web page that lists former  marijuana 
grow operations in the city is a tool to help  the public become more 
aware of a widespread problem.

"It's a proactive way to keep our citizens informed of  where this 
activity has been happening in Guelph, and  to help ensure that the 
unsuspecting citizen . . . is  not buying one of these places that 
has been used as a  grow operation," Chief Rob Davis said.

Guelph police launched the web page this summer. The  link can be 
found on the community relations page at  www.police.guelph.on.ca.

The list includes 22 addresses where police found grow  ops between 
February 2002 and July of this year, and  the number of plants seized at each.

Ontario's assistant information and privacy  commissioner decided in 
February that York Regional  Police were obliged to disclose former 
grow-op  locations after a freedom of information request from  the news media.

The London Police Service had already publicized  grow-op addresses. 
Waterloo regional police do not have  a similar web page.

Grow operations can lead to health hazards,  particularly mould and 
faulty electrical systems, said  Guelph police spokesperson Sgt. Dave Elloway.

But one sociology professor from the University of  Guelph said the 
list could have a negative effect on  the neighbourhoods where grow 
ops have been discovered.

Patrick Parnaby said American research about sharing  crime location 
data over the Internet has raised  concerns about "spatial labelling."

"Once residents label a street or neighbourhood as  being problematic 
. . . the implications can be --  although, are not always -- unfortunate."

* Guelph Mercury
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom