Pubdate: Tue, 27 Sep 2005
Source: Daily Courier, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2005 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers
Contact:  http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/531
Author: Chuck Poulsen, The Daily Courier

OFFICIALS EYE NEW TOOL IN WAR ON DRUG HOUSES

If the house you rent is being used as a grow-op, you might soon lose 
the house.

Kelowna RCMP Supt. Bill McKinnon said seizure of the owner's property 
is a major measure being considered by provincial officials as they 
try to come up with provincewide standards to deal with grows and crack houses.

"We're waiting for the results of the provincial review before we 
implement any of our own ideas in Kelowna," said McKinnon. "Seizure 
of assets, such as the house, is one idea, but we'll wait to see 
what's best out there." He said he hopes the review will be done by 
next spring. McKinnon was responding to reports of a new bylaw in 
Vernon that is designed to shut down drug houses by requiring a 
"satisfactory occupancy inspection" before allowing occupancy.

McKinnon said drug house laws are on the agenda of the Union of B.C. 
Municipalities meeting in Vancouver this week.

Last week, the B.C. Police Chiefs, meeting in Kelowna, also discussed 
what powers might assist police in shutting down grows.

He said the chiefs want a standardized set of laws or bylaws that can 
be applied provincewide.

"We want to get as much expertise and advice as we can," said 
McKinnon, noting that any changes must withstand court challenges.

He said the seizure of owners' property would likely be just such a 
law that would be challenged in the courts.

(Story continued on page A4 - unable to reach this page on website)
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MAP posted-by: Elizabeth Wehrman