Pubdate: Sat, 26 Jan 2008
Source: Ottawa Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2008 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact:  http://www.ottawasun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/329
Author: Jon Willing, Sun Media
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?241 (Methamphetamine - Canada)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?208 (Environmental Issues)

COPS POST GROW-OPS

Drug Lab And Grow-Op Registry Goes Online Feb. 1

New homeowners in Ottawa will know if their dream house is a former 
marijuana grow operation or crystal meth lab as of Feb. 1.

On that date Ottawa police will start posting addresses of busted 
drug operations on their website, following the lead of other Ontario 
municipalities that provide similar information to residents.

Police Chief Vernon White said he was shocked Ottawa didn't already 
have a published registry when he joined the force last year.

White said police have an obligation to protect the public from 
potential problems left behind by drug houses.

The information will be posted on the police website at www.ottawapolice.ca.

The plan has been in the works for a couple years, but it wasn't 
until last year that the Ottawa Real Estate Board, Crime Prevention 
Ottawa, police and the city all jumped on board with the project.

HEALTH HAZARD

Rick Snell, chairman of the real estate board's government relations 
committee, said the registry will give customers important historical 
information they need before making a decision to buy a home.

One of the biggest concerns regarding such homes is the potential for 
hazardous air quality in houses formerly used as drug labs.

"The mould is the biggest issue," Snell said, adding rigged hydro 
lines and structural modifications also create dangerous living conditions.

In the case of meth labs, criminals have been known to drill holes 
into the basement floor to store toxic chemicals.

Police will publish the date of the bust, address, drugs seized and 
charges laid. The information will remain on the website for three 
months after an investigation ends.

White said police have yet to decide if they will only post addresses 
of former drug houses busted after Feb. 1, or if they will also 
include previous busts, too.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom