Pubdate: Thu, 25 Oct 2007 Source: Aldergrove Star (CN BC) Copyright: 2007 Central Fraser Valley Star Publishing Ltd. Contact: http://www.aldergrovestar.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/989 Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Marijuana - Canada) 'GROW-OP TEAM' HITS JACKPOT, GETS TWO MORE YEARS A specialized team that makes the community safer and provides the added benefit of putting marijuana growers out of business will continue working for another two years. The Public Safety Inspection Team, which has been operating as a pilot project, was given a two-year extension by Township of Langley Council on Oct. 15. The Team, which is made up of a fire inspector, two RCMP officers, an electrical advisor, a bylaw inspector, and clerical support staff, investigates premises where excessive use of electricity has been noticed, and shuts down power sources that pose a danger to the structure and the community. In most cases, those premises have been found to house marijuana grow operations. Shutting down the operations not only reduces the risk of fire and other safety hazards for the entire neighbourhood, it makes it extremely difficult for pot growers to function. "Homes with grow-ops in them are twenty times as likely to catch fire as normal homes," said Township of Langley Fire Chief Doug Wade, "and the chemicals used to grow marijuana are dangerous to people and the environment." "We don't want marijuana producers in Langley," said Wade. "The Public Safety Inspection Team is making the community safer and has had the added benefit of making it more difficult for them to do business. It's working well." The Public Safety Inspection Team started in June of 2007 as a six-month pilot project. The Team's purpose, goals, and methods were based on similar programs in Surrey and Abbotsford, but have been improved to meet the Township's requirements. The team receives data from B.C. Hydro about homes that are using more than three times the normal amount of power. They also receive tips from the community, and have set up a hotline at 604-532-7527. Acting on the information received, the Team does background checks on the reported premises and the people within them, conducts drive-bys, and determines if an on-site check is necessary. If so, a notice is posted on the property, stating that a home inspection will be conducted in 24 hours. The next day, the team goes in to see what is causing the excessive use of power - and in many cases finds a marijuana grow-op is or has been recently active. The Public Safety Inspection Team uses a non-criminal approach to shutting the operations down. It doesn't issue warrants, but acts under the authority of the Community Charter, the Fire Services Act, safety standards, and Township of Langley bylaws. While those caught with grow-ops will not be prosecuted, homes where the consumption of electricity is found to be dangerous will have their power disconnected which can mean growers are forced to move on, and the growth cycle of their marijuana plants is disrupted. As well, those responsible are seriously hit in the pocketbook. "There is a substantial fee, as we operate on a cost recovery basis," said Wade. "We are ensuring that our citizens and taxpayers do not bear the brunt of this illegal activity." Fees of $3,700 are issued to cover the inspections, and when the price of the repairs, building permits, and electrical permits that are required to put the building back to livable standards are factored in, violators face several thousand dollars worth of costs, Wade said. In some cases, homes are declared unfit for occupation. Since its initiation, the team has done more than 110 inspections which have lead to the discovery of electrical problems that could potentially pose a threat, most of which yielded grow-ops. In the same time frame, from June to September of this year, the Langley RCMP - who work within the criminal code framework - took down 16 grow-ops, Wade said. "The police are very, very supportive of this," he added, because of the effectiveness of the Public Safety Inspection Team's approach. "After these inspections, 95 per cent of those caught with a grow-op move out all their equipment and plants, removing the hazard from the neighbourhood." [sidebar] GLANCE BOX: Residents can report what appears to be a marijuana grow-op in their neighbourhoods through the tip line at 604-532-7527. Landlords are responsible and will be held accountable for their properties: "My best advice to landlords is to check on your tenants on a regular basis," said Township of Langley Fire Chief Doug Wade. "Tour the premises; don't just stand at the front door." Landlords who report suspicious tenants will NOT be charged the $3,700 investigation fee. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake