GROW-OP SEARCHES SHOULDN'T RESULT IN BIG BROTHER-STYLE TACTICS

A program aimed at flushing out marijuana grow-ops shouldn't become a
Big Brother-style nit-picking opportunity that scrutinizes the homes
of law-abiding citizens, a Richmond councillor says.

Coun. Bill McNulty responded this week to recent complaints made in
Coquitlam that a public safety inspection program similar to
Richmond's is unfairly requiring innocent homeowners to perform
expensive electrical upgrades and pay for follow-up
inspections.

"I think you've got to look at discretion," McNulty
said.

There's no question that the inspection program in Richmond targets
marijuana grow-ops, McNulty said. But if one is obviously not present
in a home, inspectors shouldn't be scrutinizing every nook and cranny
of a house searching for problems.

Although he believes that safety is paramount, the purpose of the
bylaw is not to act as Big Brother, he said.

If an inspector notes a deficiency, McNulty said he doesn't see a
problem with suggesting to a homeowner that changes be made.

"To mandate it is another matter."

McNulty said Richmond is replete with older homes that probably
wouldn't meet the current building code, and forcing a house that
doesn't contain a grow-op to make major changes should not be the
directive given to inspectors.

"Every house in Richmond that's 30 years old is probably deficient
according to today's code. I think it's a little harsh to shut them
down."

Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie said the bylaw is intended to keep
people, homes and neighbourhoods safe, and that high power consumption
can be a signal of a safety hazard such as a grow-op. Where hazards
exist, Brodie said it can be important that they be solved.

"What is reasonable is always a matter of interpretation."

City of Richmond spokesperson Cynthia Lockrey said if an inspector
sees severe electrical safety issues even in cases where there are no
grow-ops, repairs may be ordered that must be completed immediately or
within seven days.

Lockrey cited situations where there's a perfectly reasonable
explanation for the high power consumption that red-flags a home under
the program.

Some seniors who are new to Canada and don't like the cold keep their
heat cranked up, a stifling fact that becomes apparent to an inspector
as soon as he walks through the front door, Lockrey said.

Others have hot tubs or swimming pools which are enormous power
hogs.

But in cases where minor things are pointed out, the city works
closely with the homeowner to deal with the situation in a fair,
equitable and reasonable manner, she said.

In the event a home housed a grow-op many years prior to the current
occupant's arrival, Lockrey said the city's response will depend on
how badly a house's wiring has been tampered with.

In cases where the damage to the electrical system is severe, a
certified electrical contractors needs to be retained to effect
repairs, after which that contractor must make a declaration that the
house is safe. At that point, the city would not conduct a follow-up
inspection, but the B.C. Safety Authority might, she said.