Concerned community members, ranging from young teens to grandparents, gathered to learn about the hidden dangers of crystal meth and the risk it poses to everyone. "This forum is not a just a one-night stand, it's an opportunity for the community to come together as one and fight this," Mayor Judy Forster told a crowd of hundreds at the Star of the Sea Parish Centre May 24. Members of police and fire departments, counseling services, and the Surrey school district formed a panel to help address the public's questions and concerns about recognizing and combating the problems caused by crystal meth. [continues 566 words]
The war being waged against marijuana grow-ops experienced another major development May 9 with Bill 25 passing provincial legislature. The new law requires electrical companies to forward billing information to municipalities so they can determine homes that are using excessive amounts of energy, which can sometimes point to the existence of a grow operation. The bill is in response to Surrey Fire Chief Len Garis' proposal to find new ways of shutting down grow-ops. Electrical companies will now provide the city with two years of electrical bills so investigators can isolate spikes in activity. [continues 325 words]
