KEEP WATCH FOR DRUG PRODUCTION IN NEIGHBOURHOODs

Even Mickey D is not immune from robbery.

The Saanichton McDonald's was robbed at 10:30 PM on May 27 by a
suspect who produced a note indicating he had a gun. He fled with an
undisclosed amount of money only to have the police dog on his trail
within minutes. Not only did Jacko the police dog take a bite out of
crime, literally, but the entire incident was recorded and uploaded on
www.crooktube.com within minutes.

RCW encourages all businesses to install CCTVs (Closed Circuit
Television) and upload all incidents to www.crooktube.com. For
information on CCTV go to www.ruralcrimewatch.com and click on
"Successes."

Let's inundate the court system with captured thieves and send a
message, "If you do crime in B.C., you will get caught and do time."

RCW encourages readers to be vigilant in spotting neighbourhood
irregularities that might indicate either a grow-op or meth lab. Both
criminal activities are a blight on our society and pose a threat to
public safety. The RCMP advises readers of some of the dangers with
grow-ops:

Fire hazards - Exposed live wires and high-intensity light bulbs. The
extra exhaust fans used in grow-ops can cause a house to go up in
flames very quickly, endangering surrounding homes.

Structural damage to homes - Homes may be altered for the purposes of
growing marijuana. Structural walls may be removed with the possible
consequence of the house collapsing. High levels of humidity lead to
condensation buildup causing the growth of unhealthy mold and fungus.

Electrocutions - Electrical system rewiring by the operators poses a
severe threat to those working on it, as well as to residents and
emergency responders.

Environmental damage - Hazardous chemicals like fungicides and
pesticides are disposed of down household drains into our water systems.

Power outages - Overloading the electrical system can cause
transformers to blow, resulting in power outages in entire
neighbourhoods and costly replacements.

Higher utility cost - Because indoor grow-ops require massive amounts
of electricity, which can lead to detection, growers usually steal the
power. The rising cost of this stolen electricity, which adds up to
millions of dollars in B.C. each year, is borne by B.C. Hydro.

Threat to your safety - Grow-op producers are criminals with a
considerable financial investment and a huge financial payoff that
they will protect with violence toward you and law enforcement. Meth
Labs contain their own neighbourhood dangers and threats.

Chemicals and equipment used to "cook" meth in illegal makeshift labs
create an immediate danger of explosion and fire. The process also
leaves behind waste that contaminates the site - often a house,
apartment or other dwelling - and poses a threat both to the
environment and the health of future occupants.

Meth lab equipment consists of commercially purchased specialty items
you would associate with a science class or a chemistry lab. These
labs are often referred to as "Super Labs" and are capable of
producing many pounds of methamphetamine during one cooking process.
Smaller labs, called "Tweaker Labs," produce only a few grams of meth
at a time and are often operated by meth addicts.

"Tweaker Lab" equipment can be purchased from any retail store and
consists of mason jars, glassware, plastic coolers and gas cans. These
items can be slightly modified to process the drug using the chemicals
and heating on a stove or in a microwave oven.

Go to our website and click on "Bulletins" for information on how to
spot a grow-op or meth lab in your neighbourhood. If you suspect an
operation, call your local detachment or 911.

RCW encourages readers to "Take a Bite out of Crime" and become active
in your community to eradicate these neighbourhood scourges.