Pubdate: Tue, 23 Oct 2007
Source: Canadian Champion, The (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007 Metroland Printing, Publishing and Distributing Ltd
Contact:  http://www.miltoncanadianchampion.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1503
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

COMMUNITY'S HELP SOUGHT IN FIGHT AGAINST GROW-OPS

Halton Crime Stoppers And Local Hydro Companies Have Joined Forces To
Help Combat Illegal Grow Operations.

This year, Milton Hydro, Burlington Hydro, Oakville Hydro and Halton 
Hills Hydro began distributing information brochures attached to 
residents' hydro bills.

These brochures, funded through donations by regional hydro 
companies, were produced to educate homeowners about the dangers 
associated with illegal grow-ops and to provide residents with tips 
on how to spot potential signs of a grow operation.

Don Thorne, Milton Hydro president and CEO, said the issue affects everyone.

"This is not strictly a police matter, it is a community issue; the 
presence of grow houses pose health, safety and financial risks."

Last year, Halton Regional Police's drug and morality bureau 
conducted 14 warrants on illegal grow-ops with a seizure of 2,155 
plants, said Staff Sgt. Bob Waller, explaining this is a 100 per cent 
increase over 2005.

"In addition to the drain on police resources, this type of work can 
also be very dangerous to those officers participating in the 
execution of the warrant due to the high potential of booby traps 
that may be present," Waller said.

He added that grow operations that go undetected can become health 
hazards to unsuspecting home purchasers.

Det. Gary Gold, Halton Crime Stoppers police co-ordinator, said there 
are serious negative consequences to grow houses that might not be 
recognized right away. These include the possibility of fire, 
electrocution, organized crime involvement and violence.

"Neighbourhood property values may also decrease as a result of 
damage caused by an illegal grow house," Gold added.

Residents reluctant to give information about a grow house directly 
to police have the option of calling Crime Stoppers.

The information is forwarded to police for further investigation, but 
the tipsters remain anonymous and are never asked for a statement or 
to testify in court.

Crime Stoppers of Halton can be reached at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or 
www.haltoncrimestoppers.com.
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