Pubdate: Fri, 19 Feb 2010
Source: Cowichan Valley Citizen (CN BC)
Copyright: 2010 Cowichan Valley Citizen
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/cowichanvalleycitizen/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4349
Author: Kevin Rothbauer

GREEN TEAM SWAMPED WITH POT BUST DUTY

Crime statistics from 2008 to 2009 were relatively consistent, 
Inspector Kevin Hewco reported at meetings of two local councils this week.

"There's nothing surprising here to us," the North Cowichan/ Duncan 
detachment commander told North Cowichan Council. "We do try to look 
for trends."

The North Cowichan/ Duncan detachment commander spoke to Duncan City 
Council on Monday and North Cowichan's council on Wednesday. Noting 
there were no significant increases in any particular categories, 
Hewco did say there are some areas he wants to focus on, in 
particular, drug offences and property crimes such as graffiti.

The detachment executed 33 search warrants on marijuana grow 
operations in 2009, with 17 of those falling in the final quarter of 
the year as the "Green Team" went into operation for a six-week 
period. If the police wanted to, they could focus almost entirely on 
grow-ops, Hewco pointed out.

"We could entertain our detachment full-time," he said.

Many of the operations the police investigate turn out to be licensed 
for medical marijuana, but to a man, each of the licensees is 
exploiting the system.

"Without exception, every one that was licensed was growing far more 
than it was licensed to grow," said Hewco. "It's simply a loophole 
that's being taken advantage of."

Graffiti and similar property crimes are classified as mischief under 
$5,000. North Cowichan recorded 549 such incidents in 2009, while 
Duncan had 199. Both statistics were relatively close to their 2008 
totals. Hewco wants to make reduction of those crimes a priority, 
with school visits among his proposed methods.

Community policing in Chemainus and Crofton is also a priority, and 
Hewco foresees involving members of the auxiliary constable program 
in those communities when they are ready.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart