Pubdate: Wed, 22 Jun 2005 Source: Surrey Leader (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Surrey Leader Contact: http://www.surreyleader.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1236 Author: Kevin Diakiw GROW OPS REMAIN TARGET OF PROGRAM Council, residents, hail initiative to shut down marijuana operations Water seeping down her walls, a persistent skunky smell, and frightening" people coming and going in the middle of night are just some of the impacts a marijuana grow operation is having on one woman's life. This is no way to live," said the 65-year-old Kennedy Heights resident, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. She expressed relief after reading in the June 17 Leader about a program led by city staff, RCMP and the fire department to shut down grow operations. The program, called the Electrical Fire Safety Initiative (EFSI), effectively shut down almost 120 alleged grow operations during a 90-day demonstration period from March 15 to June 3. Fire Chief Len Garis delivered a report to council detailing the need for the program and the successes so far. Garis says the program became necessary because in British Columbia, police and courts can't keep up with the $7-billion industry - comparable to agriculture, tourism and forestry. There are an estimated 2,000 grow operations in Surrey alone. The criminal justice system in Canada, and in B.C. particularly, is clearly losing the war against marijuana production," Garis writes in a 31-page report, delivered to council Monday. Increased and targeted resources and efforts have done little to diminish the escalating consequences that the production of this drug has on society's health and safety." Under the program, fire officials acting on police tips attend homes with extraordinary electrical consumption (typical of a grow op) and ask the resident to allow a city inspection of the home. If no one is home, a request is left at the door to permit an inspection within 48 hours. Failure to comply results in power being shut off to the home. During the 90-day demonstration period, the five-person EFSI team disrupted power to 119 grow operations in Surrey, the report states. In that same 90-day period, the Surrey RCMP detachment took down 75 grow operations - 28 by the Green Team and 47 by uniformed officers," Garis notes in the report to council. Based on the statistics, it is clear that the EFSI system is able to meet its objectives less expensively and more efficiently than the criminal justice system," Garis writes, noting the program shouldn't be considered a replacement for existing police enforcement strategies. Administered in concert, the two systems may achieve even greater gains in ridding our communities of marijuana grow operations and public safety threats that accompany them." City council roundly congratulated the EFSI team at Monday's council meeting, describing it as innovative" and proactive." - - Residents rarely appear to be home and attend the residence for brief periods. - - Radio and television usually left on. - - Mail is unchecked and accumulates. - - Visitors come and go and may behave strangely. - - Entry to the home is usually through the garage or a back entrance to conceal activity. - - The exterior of the home is often untidy, with uncut grass, garbage bags, used soil and plastic pots. - - Windows are boarded up or covered and usually show condensation. - - Equipment such as large fans, lights and containers are brought into the home. - - Sounds of construction or electrical humming can be heard. Strange odours (a skunk-like smell) emanate from the house. - - Hydro meters have been tampered with. Signs of digging near the hydro box. - - The neighbourhood experiences surges or decreases in power. - - Property has warning signs such as beware of dog." - - Residents suspecting a grow operation should call the RCMP drug tip line at 604-599-7771. Source: Eliminating Marijuana Grow Operations: An Alternate Approach, by Len Garis, Surrey Fire Chief. - --- MAP posted-by: Josh