Pubdate: Mon, 30 Aug 2010 Source: Press Democrat, The (Santa Rosa, CA) Copyright: 2010 The Press Democrat Contact: http://www.pressdemocrat.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/348 SECRET GARDENS Be Smart When Exploring the Outdoors These Days The problem is not just that pot growers are getting more brazen, as evidenced by the large pot farm discovered near the Sonoma County landfill last week. The problem is that growers are getting more aggressive in defending their crops, creating growing safety concerns for landowners, hikers and law enforcement. Those exploring remote areas, even in state and local parks, should use caution. As reported by Staff Writers Julie Johnson and Glenda Anderson, law enforcement officials are encountering an unparalleled level of violence in their marijuana eradication efforts. Many blame it on the influence of Mexican drug cartels, which are getting more aggressive about protecting their wares. As a result, five suspected marijuana growers have been shot and killed in four Northern California counties this summer alone. In the most recent case, one person was killed during a raid near Laytonville in Mendocino County 10 days ago. The operation involved more than 60 officers and resulted in four arrests and the destruction of 2,400 marijuana plants. This is not just a problem of remote areas. Here are some recent examples of activity by growers: Sonoma County deputies found a garden of more than 350 marijuana plants hidden behind a plywood fence near the county landfill on Wednesday. U.S. Forest Service workers recently discovered that 15 large redwood trees on a wooded section of Korbel Winery in Guerneville had been cut down to make way for a marijuana-growing operation. The tenders of the small pot farm had also dammed a nearby creek. On Aug. 9, an Occidental landowner encountered an armed man on his property. He called 911 and deputies and service dogs found 216 marijuana plants and a campsite. The suspect was not found. Employees at a 400-acre church camp west of Lake Sonoma began warning campers to stay close to camp and to stay off of hiking trails because of risks from illegal pot farms in the area. On Aug. 15, five deer hunters on a popular Cow Mountain trail in Mendocino County encountered armed marijuana growers who threatened them and ordered them to stay away. We don't blame property owners and others who are weary of this nonsense. Nobody should be threatened in this way while hiking in a state park let alone walking on their own property. Nevertheless, the weapons should be left at home. The best response when encountering this kind of threat is to call 911. Those who vow to combat this problem by arming themselves only run the risk of adding to the bloodshed, not diminishing it. The solution to this problem is not more violence. - --- MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart