Pubdate: Sat, 10 Dec 2005 Source: Maple Ridge News (CN BC) Copyright: 2005 Maple Ridge News Contact: http://www.mapleridgenews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1328 Author: Monisha Martins Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/topics/grow+operations NEW PLAN COULD HELP STOP DOPE HOUSES In the last week, local RCMP investigated six marijuana grow-operations. A total of 3,158 plants and 21 pounds of marijuana were seized by the Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows detachment and six people are charged with 18 offences. It is a small chunk of an every growing problem, the detachment says. Next year however, they hope to add another tool to their arsenal. The RCMP, the District of Pitt Meadows, Maple Ridge and their fire departments will discuss the feasibility the Electrical and Fire Safety Inspection Initiative next week. EFSI offers an alternate, administrative approach to tackling the grow op problem. The program, piloted by the Surrey Fire Department in March this year, helped reduce a lengthy backlog of grow operation tips that were gathering dust in RCMP files. During a 90-day demonstration period, the program effectively shut down 119 alleged grow operations by cutting power to the residences and issuing repair notices to others. The Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows RCMP drug section tackles an average of 25 to 30 marijuana grow operations annually. "You can't be one dimensional. You need a multi-level approach. Clearly we can only get to so many," said drug section head Cpl. Dave Walsh. "This year has been an exception. We've already taken down 50." Walsh estimates his five-person drug squad receives between 125 to 150 tips every year. The reality is, the team can't get to all of them. "The ones we can't get to we'll perhaps target with a electrical inspection initiative," he explains. At a bust on Dec. 1 in Maple Ridge, 1145 plants and two loaded hand guns were seized from a residence. "We've got a lot more to do," said Insp. Janice Armstrong. Under the EFSI program, a team of police officers, firefighters and an electrical inspector conducted electrical inspections at suspected grow operations that have an unusually high electricity consumption. At locations with electrical hazards or where an inspection is refused, the electricity is shut off until repairs are made and approved by city inspectors. "Shutting off electricity really effects these operations," notes Armstrong. She hopes Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are "next out of the shoot." Under the program, RCMP submit suitable tips to the EFSI team for investigation. Once the EFSI team receives a tip from the RCMP, team members do a drive-by of the address to note the size and age of the home and other potential power uses, such as a pool. Security issues are also noted and checks done to determine if the owner has a history of drugs or violence. The police members on the EFSI team then submit Freedom of Information requests to BC Hydro. Once that information is obtained, the EFSI team then approaches the properties. If the occupants respond to a knock on the door, they are asked for permission to enter and conduct an electrical inspection. If there is no response - the most common result - three notices are posted on the property requiring the occupant to call for an electrical inspection within 48 hours or the power will be disconnected. "The strategy is to get into the homes where there are grow-ops, either shutting them down or getting the home owners to leave our community," said Armstrong. - --- MAP posted-by: Larry Seguin