Pubdate: Tue, 09 Sep 2003 Source: Powell River Peak (CN BC) Copyright: 2003 Peak Publishing Ltd. Contact: http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?brd=1998 Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/734 Author: Kaia Sherritt CHOPPER INTRUSION On August 20, a blue and white helicopter flew extremely close to my house. When it approached, I was at the bottom of my driveway, getting ready to go for a walk with friends and family, which included a six-month-old boy in a stroller. After appearing to see us, the helicopter circled around and hovered over us, only about 30 feet up, for about 20 seconds and then moved on to scour through the rest of my neighbourhood. Several hours later, upon returning home from our walk, a friend of mine noticed that several shingles had loosened from my roof and landed on the outside deck. This seemed odd, seeing that the roof is relatively new, and this had never happened before. I couldn't help but wonder if perhaps there was a link between the helicopter flying dangerously close to my family, friends and house, and the shingles loosening. Rumour has it that this same helicopter has been scanning my neighbourhood looking for certain types of green plants ["Police seize pot plants," Police Briefs, July 16]. Many feel the helicopter would have been put to better use fighting the fires that were raging towards Kelowna at the time. I, personally, have no real desire to get into the marijuana debate, however, one thing I know for sure is that our current marijuana laws are based on politics, not science. However, politics aside, if you spend your time flying around in a blue and white helicopter, could you please keep your distance from my house? Kaia Sherritt, Lund, BC - --- MAP posted-by: Josh