PROGRAM IS WORKING

People need to stop and think before jumping on the bandwagon against
public safety inspection programs aimed at ridding our communities of
marijuana grow operations.

The Coquitlam pilot program was implemented last May and so far has
done what it was meant to: drive pot farms out of town and dissuade
drug producers from setting up here.

Last year, the power was cut or occupancy revoked at 70% of the 128
homes inspected by a team made up of a fire prevention officer, a
bylaw/properties inspector, a building/plumbing inspector and a clerk.
Before the lights came back on, a $5,000 cost-recovery fine had to be
paid and a follow-up inspection conducted.

That means more than 88 grow operations are out of Coquitlam
neighbourhoods thanks to a program that's not costing taxpayers a dime
to operate.

And while they may have been moved to another location within the
city, we figure any grow operator with a brain would rather set up
shop somewhere there is no program aimed at eradicating grow ops. Of
the 128 homes inspected, another 24 were "strongly suspected" of
having housed pot farms, although there wasn't enough evidence to
enact the bylaw that allows the city to cut power and revoke occupancy.

It's true the teams inspected nine houses where there wasn't any
evidence of grow operations (their high power usage was linked to
other factors, such as a massive aquarium, a business operating
illegally or renovation work happening without a permit). But often,
potentially serious safety issues were flagged, so the effort wasn't a
waste.

Obviously, the city must be careful not to inspect homes unnecessarily
and be more flexible in dealing with innocent people. But the record
shows some progress has been made to address residents' concerns about
marijuana grow ops that make their neighbourhoods less safe.

After all, cracking down on grow ops will reduce crime and fires,
freeing emergency personnel to deal with other important issues.

So for now, Coquitlam residents should be grateful for whatever help
they can get - unless they want to welcome back those grow ops.