Pubdate: Wed, 28 Jun 2006 Source: Maple Ridge News (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 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 (Marijuana - Canada) INSPECTIONS TO TARGET GROW-OPS Staff are proposing the District of Pitt Meadows implement a three-month pilot project to eliminate residential marijuana grow-operations through safety inspections. Bylaws officer Leslie Elchuk said the public safety inspection program is an alternative approach to deal with marijuana cultivation. It was pitched to Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows last year by the RCMP. "The RCMP have their role. This is just another option," Elchuk said. Under the program, RCMP will forward a list of suspected grow-ops to a team of four comprised of a bylaw officer and building, fire and electrical inspectors. Elchuk will then research the house, looking for spikes in electricity and water use. "We may do drive-bys," she said. "And see what it looks like and what's going on." If the information gleaned points to a possible grow-op, a notice advising the resident that an inspection of the premises will be conducted in 48 hours is posted. RCMP officers will accompany the team on all inspections and clear the house if a grow-op is found. Elchuk said a no-occupancy notice will be posted at the house if an electrical bypass, mould or furnace modifications are found. After months of discussing the program, Pitt Meadows fire chief Bill Park said staff decided it was time to move. "We feel that it won't take a huge amount of our time," he said. The fire department has been to several house fires caused by grow-ops over the years. "These are places where electrical systems have been compromised by people who don't care about safety," he said. According to a study released by the University College of the Fraser Valley in March last year, Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows are one of the fastest growing areas in B.C. for marijuana cultivation. The report showed that the number of marijuana cases in Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows since 1997 had risen 375 per cent, including 152 cases in 2003 - representing 3.4 per cent of all those in B.C. that year. In a report presented to council on Tuesday, Elchuk noted the public safety inspection program is a complement and not a replacement to the existing criminal system. She researched pilot projects done in Surrey and Abbotsford for the report. In Surrey, the program shut down 120 alleged grow-ops in a 90-day period. In Abbotsford, 32 houses were inspected. Electrical bypasses were found at 20. The team in Pitt Meadows expects to target 10 homes in residential areas during the three-month pilot project. "It's been very successful," Elchuk said. "We think a three-month project would be the best thing for us." Staff time costs for the three-months are estimated at $31,000 and grow-op recovery fees are pegged at $6020. Elchuk said the pilot project will begin in August or September this year if approved by council. - --- MAP posted-by: Richard Lake