Pubdate: Tue, 15 May 2012
Source: Edmonton Journal (CN AB)
Copyright: 2012 The Edmonton Journal
Contact: 
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/opinion/letters/letters-to-the-editor.html
Website: http://www.edmontonjournal.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/134
Author: Tim Jones

POLICE ASK PUBLIC TO CALL IN DRUG LAIRS

Drug houses are a continual thorn in the side of many Edmonton neighbourhoods.

Every year police shut down a number of them, but every year new ones pop up.

So to mark the start of the 21st annual Crime Prevention Week, police 
are raising awareness about the problems caused by drug houses and 
offering solutions for people who worry they may have a drug house in 
their neighbourhood.

Their Report a Drug House program encourages residents either to tell 
police directly or call Crime Stoppers to do so anonymously.

"Drug houses exist, be it for the sales of drugs or the production of 
drugs such as meth and crack or even marijuana grow operations. ... 
Drug houses do attract the criminal element and this can result in an 
increase in criminal activity, also possibly violence.

"We need the people of Edmonton to support us, to report to us, so 
together we can make a difference," Const. Lisa Riou said.

Police put a special emphasis on marijuana grow operations. In 2011, 
Green Team North, the task force charged with identifying and 
shutting down grow-ops in northern Alberta, closed 28 of those 
operations. This year, the team has closed 21 grow-ops.
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