Pubdate: Sun, 03 Mar 2013 Source: Calgary Sun, The (CN AB) Copyright: 2013 The Calgary Sun Contact: http://www.calgarysun.com/letter-to-editor Website: http://www.calgarysun.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/67 Author: Nadia Moharib Page 5 'NO GOOD FOR KIDS' Two children were found home alone in a suspected illegal marijuana grow op Saturday, after cops responded to a 911 hang-up call. The call came in just about noon, but when the line was disconnected police were dispatched to the Erin Woods home to determine there was no one needing help. "There were two young children in the house, aged 10 and 12, and no adults and a marijuana grow op," Insp. Rick Tuza said. Ron Cyr, who lives nearby figured there were skunks in his community and even fortified his shed to keep the critters out. "I noticed a skunk smell in the neighbourhood," he said as police guarded the house a few doors down. "The skunks will be going away now." A little amused at his blaming the critters for an odour which may have emanated from another source, Cyr said there is nothing funny about what police believe they found. "It's no good for kids," said the father of a teenage son. "And it doesn't give them a good idea of how things are supposed to be in the world." The two siblings sat side-by-side in the rear of a cruiser until child welfare workers whisked them away while police were looking for the childrens' parents. Green Team members were called in to assist in the investigation and to get a search warrant to go inside the home. "There is speculation a child might have been playing with the phone," Tuza said of the 911 hang up. "There was no emergency, but obviously something wrong - why are children home alone and the other question is, why is illegal activity going on in the residence, something which can endanger the health of children?" It isn't the first time little ones have been found in grow ops, which can be a breeding ground for toxic mould, are at times targets for criminals, and can put children at risk chronic respiratory disorders and other health issues. In recent years, the province launched its Drug-endangered Children Act (DECA) to give authorities the power to rescue children living in homes with serious drug activity. About three years later in 2009, more than 100 kids were taken from their families under the legislation - a little more than half were from the Calgary area. DECA allows workers to take a child into custody for up to 48 hours and if needed they can apply for temporary guardianship. A conviction under DECA sees a fine of up to $25,000, imprisonment for as long as two years, or both. - -------------------------- [sidebar] Kids rescued from grow ops in Calgary and area: Oct. 12, 2012: Four children under 12 years old taken at a $90,000 bust on Rundlecairn Rd. N.E., in what was originally a domestic disturbance call. March/Apr., 2012: Handicapped school-aged child found in one of three raided homes on Copperfield Common, Somerglen Cl. and Bridlecrest Rd. in the city's south, in a $5.5 million bust. Apr. 2009: Stats are released stating more than 100 kids have been taken from their families since Drug Endangered Children Act was enacted three years earlier. July 4, 2008: Three children, aged 2-11, taken at a $561,000 bust in northwest Brooks. Apr. 2, 2008: Four children, aged 8-15, taken from a Chestermere home in the Springmere neighbourhood, in a 60-plant bust. June, 2007: First charges laid under the Drug Endangered Children Act, against the parents of an 18-month-old and a four-year-old taken at a $1.5 million bust on Dec. 12, 2006. Jan., 2007: Four children, aged 2-9, taken at a $716,250 bust on Templeton Cir. N.E., with two of the kids in the home and two at school when police arrived. Nov. 1, 2006: Drug Endangered Children Act legislation goes into effect, allowing the province the power to rescue children living in homes with serious drug activity. July 7, 2005: Two children found living in a full-scale, $2.3 million grow operation as cops raid four Calgary homes and four Cochrane homes. March 17, 2005: Two children taken at a $320,000 bust on Saddlecreek Way N.E. - - Damien Wood - --- MAP posted-by: Matt