Pubdate: Wed, 17 Jun 2009
Source: Surrey Leader (CN BC)
Copyright: 2009 Surrey Leader
Contact:  http://www.surreyleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1236
Author: Kevin Diakiw
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

REPORT PRAISES CITY'S GROW-OP PROGRAM

A new report has confirmed what local officials have said for some 
time: Surrey's novel approach to battling marijuana grow operations is working.

In 2004, Surrey started the Electrical Fire Safety Initiative (EFSI), 
where municipal teams including fire, bylaws and police attend homes 
that BC Hydro has reported as showing high power consumption - which 
is a signature of a grow operation.

The owners are given 72 hours to allow inspection, however, most of 
the time, grow operators have packed up and left by the time inspectors arrive.

A report released this week authored by criminologist Darryl Plecas 
says the number of grow operations in this city dropped by 80 per 
cent between 2004 and 2008.

"Statistics also suggest that while Surrey's EFSI Program has reduced 
marijuana crimes and the associated public safety hazards in Surrey, 
it may have to some degree displaced the problem to other 
communities," Fire Chief Len Garis writes in a report presented to 
council Monday. "It is also important to advocate for widespread, 
collaborative approaches involving all communities and levels of 
government to address this problem fully."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom