Pubdate: Fri, 08 Jul 2005
Source: Chilliwack Progress (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Chilliwack Progress
Contact:  http://www.theprogress.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/562
Author: Jennifer Feinberg
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

WATCHING FOR GROW-OPS BEGINS

Chilliwack resident Helen Isaac always believed illegal marijuana 
grow-operations were in other neighbourhoods, not hers. It just never 
occurred to her.

We always thought that it was the kind of thing that happened somewhere 
else," she says. That is, until a few months ago, when a very ordinary 
looking family home turned out to be a grow-op. It was only a block and a 
half away."

The Sardis residents are watching as Rod Kovich of the city's sign 
maintenance department installs the first ever Grow Watch sign on Lancaster 
avenue. The new sign which warns that "neighbours are watching, recording 
and reporting" fits snugly just above the Block Watch sign.

Katie Vast lives on the street where the first Grow Watch sign in 
Chilliwack is going up.

It's a good idea. We're hoping it will work," she says.

Vast says one of the local block captains with Block Watch, Pat Conrad, 
approached her with the idea of signing up the neighbourhood and she liked 
the idea.

Grow Watch is an action plan developed in Chilliwack by RCMP in conjunction 
with the volunteer-run Block Watch. Based on citizen involvement, it's 
geared to showing people how to identify a grow-op, assisting them to 
report suspicious activity, and discouraging grow-ops with the special signage.

Isaac lives in one of about 20 Chilliwack 'blocks' or neighbourhood sectors 
that have become certified with the new Grow Watch program.

Those who favour the concept behind it say Grow Watch is a pro-active step 
to empower neighbourhoods and prevent crime, others suggest it could lead 
to some overzealous people overstepping the bounds of privacy.

Isaac says the Grow Watch program will help local residents like her 
identify what an illegal grow-op looks like, anything from foil on the 
windows, to the strong smell.

This will make us more aware of what to look for," she says. I didn't 
realize what some of the signs were until I started going over the material."

Grow Watch coordinator Const. Krista Vrolyk says the aim is to deter the 
grow-op types from investing in the area by erecting Grow Watch signs in 
various neighbourhoods.

Grow Watch will allow Chilliwack RCMP to continue to be at the forefront" 
in the fight against illegal grows in the community, Const. Vrolyk says.

A Grow Watch sign means that neighbours have been trained to ID grow-ops 
and record the information police need to obtain search warrants.

Eighty per cent of the residents of a given area must agree to sign a 
letter of participation in order for the neighbourhood to be certified for 
the Grow Watch program.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom