Pubdate: Fri, 10 Aug 2012
Source: Sherwood Park News (CN AB)
Copyright: 2012 Osprey Media
Contact: http://www.sherwoodparknews.com/feedback1/LetterToEditor.aspx
Website: http://www.sherwoodparknews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1730
Author: Andrew Jeffrey

LOOK OUT FOR RURAL GROW OPS

Locals Asked to Help With Drug Tips

The Alberta Law Enforcement Response Team's Green Teams sent out a 
reminder to Albertans to be on the lookout for illegal rural outdoor 
marijuana grow-operations during the summer months.

The ALERT Green Teams consist of Calgary and Edmonton police 
services, as well as RCMP members that investigate and dismantle 
grow-operations in Alberta. Between April 1, 2011 and March 31, 2012 
the teams seized more than 57,000 marijuana plants that were 
collectively worth nearly $69 million if sold at street level.

The ALERT teams warned Albertans of rural grow-operations, but 
according to Strathcona County RCMP Constable Wally Henry these 
grow-ops are common in any setting.

"There can be grow operations in the most affluent, unassuming 
neighbourhoods as well as rural areas and other residential 
neighbourhoods that would be considered less desirable by people. It 
really doesn't know any boundaries as far as where this activity 
takes place," Henry said. "The big thing with a rural area that's 
enticing is avoiding detection where the criminals feel that they can 
operate with more immunity and not be noticed."

It's important for county residents to be aware of potential 
grow-operations because of the damaging effect these grow-ops can 
have on a community. They can be a safety hazard with the potential 
to start fires, as well as their tendency to damage and condemn 
houses because of mould and chemical problems.

"To take it even further, there's just the harm the grow-operation 
itself can cause a community by having these drugs in circulation," 
Henry said. "We all know the spin-off crimes that occur as a result 
of drug activity, whether it's marijuana or any other illegal drug, 
is enormous. That goes right from minor property offences, such as 
theft from vehicles where people are stealing money or items from 
cars to support a drug habit, to the most serious offences where harm 
comes to people because of illegal drug use and being engaged in that 
lifestyle."

The ALERT Green Teams also informed Albertans of warning signs that 
would warn them to the presence of marijuana grow-operations near 
their home. These signs include vegetation concealed from the road or 
hidden within other crops, residents who appear to be living in an 
area temporarily, construction materials, isolated greenhouse 
structures, or pumps, generators and other equipment not normally 
found in the bush.

If residents notice any suspicious activities, they can contact Crime 
Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, or call the drug tip line for Strathcona 
County at 780-410-4357. To learn more about how to spot 
grow-operations, residents can visit www.alert-ab.ca/growops .

"Something that we try to impress upon the community is that there's 
no piece of information or suspicions that will be discounted or that 
are too small," Henry said.

"In most cases it will be a benign nature where there's nothing going 
on, but in the case where there is something going on, that's what 
makes a community more successful in crime prevention and for 
criminals to know that that community is engaged and on the lookout 
for criminal behaviour."
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