Pubdate: Fri, 05 May 2006
Source: Coquitlam Now, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006Lower Mainland Publishing Group, Inc.
Contact:  http://www.thenownews.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1340
Author: Jennifer Saltman, Staff Reporter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

PLATEAU RESIDENTS DISCUSS GROW OPS

Some Westwood Plateau residents who want to "Stop the Grow 
Operations" left a community meeting Wednesday night frustrated about 
the limitations placed on the municipality, BC Hydro, law enforcement 
officials and firefighters when it comes to dealing with marijuana grow ops.

About 75 people attended the two-hour meeting, hosted by the Westwood 
Plateau Community Association at Summit Community Centre. A similar 
meeting two years ago drew almost 200 people.

"The legislation is hitting the criminals with a sponge bat," one 
resident told representatives from the Coquitlam RCMP Marijuana 
Enforcement Team (MET), Port Coquitlam Fire/Rescue, BC Hydro and 
Coquitlam Mayor Maxine Wilson.

However, most questions from the audience were about how fast the 
police can investigate and bust a grow op and what kind of punishment 
criminals get, which are federal matters.

A letter from Port Moody-Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam MP James Moore 
stated that new legislation is on the way to deal with drugs, but not 
all residents were satisfied.

So far this year, the MET has busted 216 marijuana grow ops in 
Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam.

"We need more than just talk," one man said.

Another resident wondered what the political will is with respect to 
seizing homes used for grow ops, to recover costs.

Wilson said that's a federal issue.

"It's not straightforward," she said.

Const. Raymond Stanford, a member of the MET, said there are 
currently 10 homes in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam in the process of 
being seized under Proceeds of Crime legislation, but none have been 
formally seized and sold yet.

Elisha Moreno, spokesperson for BC Hydro, pointed out that a home 
with a grow op will consume between three and 10 times the power of 
an average household. However, currently BC Hydro can only report 
suspected theft of electricity to police, not high consumption.

"We do very aggressively investigate electrical theft," Moreno said. 
"We will find you and turn it off."

If BC Hydro suspects theft, it turns the power off and sends the 
homeowner a bill for what it thinks was stolen, Moreno said. If the 
bill is paid, the power is turned back on, but police are still 
notified. Moreno also pointed out that BC Hydro gets close to 6,000 
requests from police for information every year.

When it comes to extreme consumption, Moreno said BC Hydro can't do 
anything if the bills are being paid on time.

"What they're using the electricity for, we don't get into," she said.

However, upcoming changes to the Safety Standards Act could change that.

One woman asked why BC Hydro doesn't prosecute all cases of 
electrical theft, and Moreno replied that the utility is only 
concerned with cost recovery, and only sues civilly for what it is 
owed. Police are responsible for criminal charges.

Assistant fire Chief Patrick McPhillips said his first experience 
with a grow op was 12 years ago, while fighting a fire.

"We'd heard of them but never expected to find one in Coquitlam," he said.

McPhillips said grow ops are a danger to neighbourhoods, because of 
the risk of fire, and to firefighters going into a home with a grow op inside.

He said the fire department is concerned with safety, not 
enforcement, and a task force similar to ones formed in Abbotsford 
and Surrey is in the process of being put together in Coquitlam.

"I can't announce anything yet," Wilson added. "We are aware of 
initiatives that have taken place in Surrey and Abbotsford."

She said the city is also planning to draft bylaws dealing with cost 
recovery and marijuana grow ops in the city.

Residents did receive information about what to do if they suspect a 
grow op is in their neighbourhood, and what signs to look for during 
a presentation by Stanford.

Stanford said that covered windows, condensation, bright lights, "No 
Trespassing" signs in the yard, a "skunk-like" or rotting cabbage 
smell in the air, a humming sound from a generator or fans and 
strange garbage contents such as used soil, fertilizer, chemicals and 
1,000-watt light bulbs are all signs of a possible grow op.

Others include Christmas lights up all year, surveillance cameras, 
security bars, a lack of activity or furniture or vehicles arriving 
at strange hours and only driving directly into the garage. However, 
while people should be alert, Stanford urged residents not to conduct 
their own investigations into suspected grow operations or approach 
people who may be involved in a grow op.

"There's no sense in putting your personal safety at risk to get a 
licence plate - it's just not worth it," he cautioned.

Instead, Stanford urged people to collect information such as the 
address of the suspected grow op, to document suspicious activity and 
smells and call the Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and ask for the 
reporting desk. Those who want to stay anonymous can call Crime 
Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

An audience member asked why tips can't be made anonymously directly 
to the local police or city, to which Stanford replied that police 
will take a name and number to get more information. If the case goes 
to court, then it is decided how safe it would be to have a tipster testify.

"Your safety is paramount to us," Stanford said.

Wilson said the city will take callers' tips and personal 
information, but won't tell anyone where their tips come from.

Moreno said BC Hydro's focus is on diversions, or theft of 
electricity. She said not only is it a crime, but electrical theft 
creates hazards, increases the cost of electricity for other users 
and causes damage to property, electrical equipment and the environment.

She said signs of electrical theft include extra conductors, a meter 
explosion, a meter with a copper jumper inside, ballasts, fans and a 
pre-meter riser inside the wall, which she called "an extremely 
dangerous situation."

"These are accidents waiting to happen," Moreno said.

Westwood Plateau Community Association president Dan O'Hearn said 
residents can help stop grow ops in their community by reporting 
suspicions, sending a letter to their MP and signing petitions. "It's 
all about taking a stand," he said.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom