PSIT TO TARGET GROW OPERATIONS

Mission is hiring a new team to add to its arsenal in the fight
against unsafe buildings, especially grow operations, in the district.

The Public Safety Inspection Team (PSIT) will be comprised of one
fire inspector, a building inspector, and two RCMP officers, along
with a manager and administrative clerk, said Dennis Clark, District
of Mission director of corporate administration.

Several neighbouring communities, such as Abbotsford, Langley and
Coquitlam, all have PSIT teams, and they have met with considerable success.

One of the main focuses of the team is to rid the community of grow
operations, said Clark.

Through a special order of the B.C. government, B.C. Hydro records
are accessible to these teams. They will peruse local records and
flag properties with significantly higher readings than neighbours;
about three times higher, Clark added.

The team would then knock on the door, and ask to inspect the home
for any fire safety hazards, or structural problems. If entry is
refused, the resident is handed a notice informing them PSIT will
return 24 hours later to search the residence.

If the homeowner has a valid reason, such as a pottery kiln, or a
welder, the team leaves. The PSIT will cross-reference flagged homes
with the district's business licence list to ensure before heading
out that a legitimate home-based business is not in operation.

We'll do as much checking in advance, noted Clark.

"Initially we're expecting to deal with at least four properties a
week," said Clark, "but we expect more."

All the other municipalities' teams have reported investigating more
homes than predicted. Clark admits it's a bit of an assumption, but
he feels given Mission hadn't had a PSIT team, many of the grow
operators have left neighbouring communities and set-up shop in this district.

While there are several new positions being created, Clark is aware
of the optics given the fact a 7.2 per cent tax increase is being proposed.

However, he states, the program is structured to be budget neutral,
with the exception of $17,000 in start-up costs, which cover a new
vehicle, among other things. Staff is proposing to council that
properties requiring an inspection will be charged $4,900, with
subsequent other fees accrued depending on the number of times PSIT
must attend the residence.

"The fees are intended to cover the cost," he said.

The PSIT will be based out of fire station one on Seventh Avenue, and
its operating budget for 2008 is $552,100.

"We expect [PSIT] is going to have a substantial impact on the number
of grow ops in our community," said Clark.