Pubdate: Mon, 29 Jul 2013
Source: Windsor Star (CN ON)
Copyright: 2013 The Windsor Star
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/501
Author: Julie Kotsis

GROW OPS PUT STRAIN ON TOWN'S BUILDING DEPARTMENT

Investigations Prove Costly

Dealing with a larger-than-expected number of marijuana grow op busts 
over the last few years is putting unexpected financial pressure on 
LaSalle's building department.

"They're growing faster than anybody thought," Brian Geary, chief 
building official, told LaSalle council recently in a mid-year 
update. He said the building department's deficit is approaching $1 million.

"When police find a grow op ... the chief building official has to go 
out there, spend time out there investigating ... and identify 
whether there's any structural issues or safety issues associated 
with mould and things like that," said Larry Silani, director of 
development and strategic initiatives. "It requires his time to 
follow up with the owners, issue orders and follow up afterwards in 
terms of making sure the remedial works are done."

Det. Sgt. Kevin Beaudoin said criminals from the Greater Toronto Area 
are attracted to the southern Ontario region due to the lower cost of 
housing compared to the GTA.

Beaudoin, a supervisor in the criminal investigations division of the 
La-Salle Police Service, said drug traffickers like to set up 
marijuana grow operations in residential neighbourhoods where they 
hope to attract little attention.

He estimates the LaSalle police spend an average of 40 to 80 hours on 
a grow-op investigation. He said the building department is notified 
when an operation is discovered so that officials can check the 
safety of the building.

Beaudoin said "nine out of 10 times it's a network or (criminal) 
organization" that owns the house and often they own three or four 
properties in the region.

And although LaSalle hasn't had any grow-op discoveries yet this 
year, there were two in 2012, three in 2011 and two in 2010.

That number compares to "one per year, per town or less" in the areas 
of Essex County policed by the Ontario Provincial Police - 
Kingsville, Leamington, Tecumseh, Lakeshore and Essex.

Sgt. Rick Tonial said the OPP investigate an average of one 
residential grow op that involves a whole house in each town every 
year. In addition, he said they come across two or three instances a 
year where someone may grow op on St. Michaels Drive in LaSalle was 
demolished last summer. The large brick home was sold to residents 
for $135,100. Fifteen months earlier it sold for $250,000.

be growing a limited number of plants in a part of a house.

Residential grow ops aren't the problem in Amherstburg, said 
Amherstburg Deputy Chief Pat Palumbo. "Here our issues are more 
outdoor grow ops," Palumbo said, adding the last residential 
marijuana grow op discovered by police was about 10 years ago.

Palumbo said because Amherstburg has a lot of agricultural land, 
criminals like to hide their illegal activities in fields. He said they prefer

corn fields because they are the perfect height to block marijuana 
plants from inquisitive eyes. But from the sky, marijuana "just 
stands out" because it is a different shade of green than corn, Palumbo said.

Windsor police have investigated two grow ops in the city so far this 
year, said Sgt. Pam Mizuno. Last year there were nine.

"We don't enter (a home) if it's unsafe," said Lee Ann Doyle, chief 
building official for the city. "If the building safe to enter and 
our inspectors go ... they see what the damage is and then they issue 
an order ... maybe it's an order to repair, maybe it's a demolition 
order, maybe it's a do not occupy order. It really depends on the 
severity the damage."

Last year, residents in an upscale area of LaSalle took it upon 
themselves to deal with a vacant house on St. Michaels Drive that had 
been used a grow op. They purchased the building, had it demolished 
and divided the property between them.

The Star reported at the time that police had raided the house in 
November 2011 and found more than 1,300 marijuana plants worth $1.3 
million in the basement. The hydro meter had been bypassed in the 
large brick home, which sold for $135,100 after the drug bust. 
Fifteen months earlier it sold for $250,000.

 Identifying grow ops Beaudoin credits 
vigilant citizens and well-educated officers for the LaSalle 
department's success in rooting out marijuana grow ops in the town's 
residential neighbourhoods. "The biggest kudos go to our citizens," 
Beaudoin said. "We tell them you're not bothering us ... don't even 
hesitate to call us."

Signs to watch for are numerous and include: boarded or covered up 
windows; condensation on windows that are always closed and air 
conditioners that never run; sounds of electrical humming; a strong, 
skunk-like odour; and new vents added to the roof or side of the house.

There may also be visitors who behave strangely or visit at odd 
hours, residents who rarely appear to be home and when they are there 
it is only for brief periods of time. Despite this, radios or 
television may be left on all night making it sound as if someone is there.

Police warn that individuals associated with grow ops have been found 
to carry weapons and may be considered dangerous - increasing the 
risk of violence and residual crime in the neighbourhood.
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom