Pubdate: Fri, 04 Mar 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, Staff Reporter Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada) LIGHTS OUT FOR GROW OPS It's lights out for grow ops in Surrey. The Leader has learned the province, city and B.C. Hydro will announce an unprecedented initiative that could shut power down to homes with marijuana grow ops in this city. In the works for some time, city crews including fire and electrical inspectors will perform preliminary inspections regarding power consumption, electrical permits and exterior improvements. If a grow op is suspected, RCMP, the fire department and an electrical inspector will knock on the door. If there's no answer (which will be the case in most grow ops) a 72-hour notice will be placed on the door demanding an inspection, and if one isn't allowed, power to the home will be cut off. It'll be the same result if inspectors do gain access and discover a grow op, as indoor pot operations always require rewiring that would violate electrical code. The 90-day trial is the first system like it in Canada and it will be tested exclusively in Surrey. Privacy issues have prevented B.C. Hydro from reporting power spikes in order to prompt police action, and there's no indication that will change. What's new is the power authority will respond to safety complaints and cut off the power to the home. Mayor Doug McCallum is thrilled with the initiative. "It will just give us another huge tool" in tackling grow operations in Surrey, McCallum said Thursday. "It's really exciting to finally get a real hammer against any grow ops." He said there will be a "number" of city staff involved in a team approach to shutting down the power at the grow operations. It's been estimated there are up to 4,500 grow operations in Surrey, a figure McCallum says is high. "We have a lot of grow ops in Surrey," said McCallum, who added police shut down 250 last year alone. "When you take down 250 a year, it's a lot." He thinks the new initiative will put tremendous pressure on people who grow marijuana in Surrey homes. "I firmly believe it's the only way to address it," McCallum said. "If you've got a grow op in Surrey, you better look out, because we're going to shut you down." Coun. Dianne Watts said the new initiative will be a quantum leap forward in dealing with the issue. "It is great news for Surrey and I'm glad this pilot project will be underway within the next week or two," Watts said. McCallum said the initiative is the brainchild of Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis. Garis declined comment. An announcement is expected Friday and the "demonstration" project is expected to begin in the several weeks. - --- MAP posted-by: Derek