Pubdate: Mon, 17 Dec 2001
Source: Kitchener-Waterloo Record (CN ON)
Copyright: 2001 Kitchener-Waterloo Record
Contact:  http://www.therecord.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/225
Author: Jason Misner

KIEFER CALLS FOR HOME-GROW CRACKDOWN

CAMBRIDGE -- Cambridge Coun. Karl Kiefer says every municipality in 
Waterloo Region must take a stand against dangerous home-grow pot 
operations to save people from being killed. "It is a concern because 
people could die," he said.

Tonight, Cambridge council will vote on a motion brought forward by Kiefer 
that was first introduced by Kitchener councillors last month. It 
recommends strict penalties against those who operate illegal pot-growing 
operations out of homes.

Police raids over the past year have shut down more than 60 pot-growing 
operations across Waterloo Region.

While most of them have been in Kitchener, more than a half-dozen have 
occurred in Cambridge.

During most home-grow busts, hydro-electricity has been bypassed with crude 
wiring systems that usually insulated properly and can be live.

These crude set-ups can cause fires in the home and pose a danger to other 
nearby houses.

Also, the ground can be electrified, which means that someone walking up to 
the hydro bypass area could easily receive a shock, especially if the 
ground is wet.

Waterloo councillors have endorsed the Kitchener motion, which calls for a 
minimum of five years in jail for anyone caught growing marijuana in a 
residence.

The city council meeting in Cambridge will be held at 46 Dickson St. It 
starts at 7 p.m.

Anyone who wants to speak on the home-grow issue can sign up with the city 
clerk before the meeting.

In its motion, Kitchener council also called on the provincial and federal 
governments to:

* Maintain the criminalization of marijuana.

* Give more of the proceeds seized from home-grow operations to local 
police to help them fight drugs.

* Consider giving fire prevention officials more power to inspect homes 
that may pose a risk to their occupants and neighbours.

* Make illegal drugs, organized crime and drug abuse a topic of debate at 
the next meeting of Canada's first ministers.

Kiefer also said he hopes to to talk to Staff Sgt. Ray Massicotte of the 
Waterloo regional police drug squad to get a better understanding on how 
widespread a problem home-grow operations are in Cambridge.
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