Pubdate: Fri, 20 Apr 2007
Source: Hamilton Mountain News (CN ON)
Copyright: 2007 Brabant Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.hamiltonmountainnews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3415
Author: Richard Leitner, Mountain

WHITEHEAD CALLS FOR BULLDOZING OF POT GROW-OP HOMES

City Should Make Breaking the Law 'A Little More Costly,' He Says

A Mountain councillor is calling on the city to consider bulldozing 
homes used to grow marijuana.

Ward 8 Councillor Terry Whitehead said he favours adopting the City 
of Niagara Falls' approach to dealing with home grow-ops after 
problems experienced by a "high-end neighbourhood" on the West Mountain.

"The building sat there boarded up and causing all kinds of concerns 
in the neighbourhood," he told members of the police services board on Monday.

"There are some due processes that need to be done, but I think 
having said that, I like the idea because hopefully it becomes a 
little more costly for those who have breached the law."

Mr. Whitehead made the remarks after Deputy Chief Ken Leendertse 
reported on the recent success in busting a massive grow operation at 
three east end apartment buildings.

Police seized nearly 12,000 plants from 49 units after initially 
targeting six units at 11 Grandville Ave.

Upon entering the six units, officers noticed they had been outfitted 
with electronic monitoring equipment.

Afterward, Deputy Chief Leendertse said it's the first time police 
have encountered video cameras at a grow operation.

"Certainly it points to organized crime. That investigation is 
ongoing," he said. "It shows a sophistication. We're taking hundreds 
of thousands of dollars of equipment."

Deputy Chief Leendertse said he's pleased to hear Mr. Whitehead 
pushing for demolition of grow-op homes, an approach also taken in B.C.

He called such homes a property-standards, fire and health-risk concern.

"I would support knocking down homes," Deputy Chief Leendertse said.

"Not only do you put the owners at risk, but I think it's important 
to send the message out that grow-ops are not a victimless crime 
because someone can buy one of these premises and then their children 
are exposed to mould and will be living with the health risks."
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