FIGHTING GROWING DRUG PROBLEM WITH BYLAW

Together the City of Merritt and the RCMP are making a difference in
the community.

Local RCMP officer Cst. Tracy Dunsmore says the city's new controlled
substance bylaw is helping them fight the growing drug problem in the
community.

"It sends a message that Merritt isn't friendly to grow ops," she
says. "There's still a lot out there we don't know about, but we're
getting there. "

Dunsmore notes that Merritt is not unique in its battle against
drugs, but she adds that Merritt is a difficult community in which to
battle drugs. She's not sure why, but residents don't tend to
complain when there is a suspicious house on their block. Lately that
is beginning to change as more people are issuing complaints.
Although she is unsure of the reason, Dunsmore is happy to report
that the trend is starting to change.

"Maybe they thought we didn't care, or they wanted to just mind their
own business," Dunsmore says. "I don't know why, but lately people
have been coming forward with tips."

When that happens the local RCMP do a thorough investigation. If they
get enough information for a search warrant then they move in. That's
where the new bylaw comes in handy.

"This bylaw helps us a lot," Dunsmore explains. "It means we can go
in and immediately shut it down."

The bylaw is designed to "regulate, prohibit or impose requirements
respecting nuisances, noxious or offensive trades and health and safety."

Dunsmore says it allows them to call the building inspector or the
fire chief to inspect the premises. If they find anything wrong with
the property it is immediately tagged as unsafe to occupy. Once that
happens the inspector will make an extensive list of what repairs
have to be completed before it can be occupied again.

The expense of repairs goes to the owner of the property, not the
renter who may be the one growing drugs. Depending on how long the
house has been used to grow marijuana, it could have extensive
repairs, often costing up to or beyond $200,000.

"In some cases the bylaw hurts more than the courts," Dunsmore explains.

The mayor is thrilled to hear the bylaw is being used in Merritt.

"This sends a message that the property owner is responsible if they
have a grow op in their house and puts a substantial burden on the
property owner," Mayor Laird explains. "This could cost [the
homeowner] thousands of dollars because they weren't diligent."

He hopes buyers will pay more attention to who rents their property.

Dunsmore would like to see real estate agents in Merritt include a
copy of the controlled substance bylaw in the packages they give out
to potential clients so they know what is expected of them as a
property owner in Merritt.

Through the new bylaw, property owners can also be charged for the
expenses related to the search and inspection. This may include RCMP
over-time hours, the inspector's fee and other related expenses.

Dunsmore believes that if the community continues to offer tips the
RCMP will keep busting drug operations in Merritt. She says it isn't
hard to pick out a drug house in a residential neighbourhood.

"I know if it was in my neighbourhood I'd know," she says.

She wants people to be aware of the signs of a grow op. The tip-offs
may include a strange and strong odour, although Dunsmore says as the
operations become more sophisticated this is much less likely. Often
houses being used as grow ops are vacant most of the time.
Occasionally people will visit on the weekends to water the plants
and in the summer to care for the yard, but otherwise the properties
are often empty. It is a giveaway when the people who own or rent the
home avoid becoming part of the community.

As for physical signs to watch for, they could include moisture in
the windows, covered windows and green or brown mold on the outside
of the house by the windows.

Dunsmore says it is essential that residents report anything
suspicious. She points out this can be done anonymously through the
local detachment or Crime Stoppers.

Only time will tell as to how effective the bylaw will be when it
reaches the courts, Dunsmore points out.

"It sounds good," she says optimistically. "But it hasn't been tested yet."

The mayor is confident they will be successful in collecting fines
after a grow op has been shut down, even if the owner is from a
different city. He explains that the fines will be attached to their
taxes, and if the taxes aren't paid the city will take possession.

"Property values are just too high to leave a house open," Laird
says. "They have to pay their taxes and when they do we'll get them."

Laird adds that the intention of this bylaw is to make it difficult
to set up a grow op and easier for the RCMP to act. In order for this
to happen people have to pay attention to what's going on in their
neighbourhood.

Since the RCMP have used the bylaw three time in one month, Dunsmore
and Laird agree it seems to be working so far.

Although not every community has adopted a controlled substance
bylaw, they are becoming more common in cities in British Columbia.
Laird says they are proud to be thinking in a proactive manner when
it comes to the drug problem in Merritt, and he hopes the bylaw
continues to assist the RCMP and will help heal the community. He
adds it took them approximately a year and a half to pass the bylaw,
and he is glad to see it being used.

Dunsmore indicates that, although the bylaw does apply to any illegal
drug, so far it has only been used with marijuana grow ops in Merritt.

Dunsmore stresses how important it is to keep the public aware of the
homes they do discover.

"As we report more [busts] we will begin to get even more tips," she
says. "Hopefully that will lead to charges, and we will start making
a real dent."