CITY CRACKS DOWN ON GROW-OPS

Council moved to get tougher on crime as it raised fines and
increased city inspection powers as part of changes to its grow-op
bylaw. Amendments to the city's controlled substance nuisance bylaw
received three readings without opposition only a year after its last adoption.

"What we're really talking about here are grow-ops," Coun. Mike Forrest said.

Changes to the bylaw include broadening the definition of an
inspector, which previously gave specific powers only to certified
building inspectors.

The cost of "safety inspections" for violators is increasing to
$6,000 from $5,000, for example, and a $2,000 levy will also be
payable for required police security during inspections.

Forrest called marijuana grow operations "a considerable concern to all of us."

Changes were made to the Safety Standards Act in 2006 that let
municipalities receive lists of homes with high electricity usage
from BC Hydro (homes using about 90-kWh per day).

According to director of corporate services, Mindy Smith, the city
entered a pilot program earlier this year to hunt down residential
grow operations.

"The BC Hydro numbers that we've received show that we usually get
about between 150 to 200, and it fluctuates," Smith told The NOW.
"It's not like it's trending up or down."