GROW-OP-BUSTING PROJECT HONOURED

Electrical Inspections Drive Growers Out Of Neighbourhoods

VICTORIA -- A Surrey pilot project to weed out marijuana grow-ops is
being recognized with a Lieutenant-Governor's Award for Public Safety.

The project came about because so many grow-ops were cropping up in
Surrey that authorities couldn't keep up with the number of tips, fire
chief Len Garis said yesterday.

"It was becoming a very prevalent problem in terms of the number of
fires that were occurring," added Garis, who will receive the award
today along with Darryl Plecas of University College of the Fraser
Valley.

A provincial task force was struck and the Surrey project got under
way in March. The initiative essentially involves the fire department
filing freedom-of-information requests for hydro bills of suspected
grow-op addresses.

Once the information is obtained, officials knock on the door of the
home with an order for an electrical inspection. If no one is home, a
notice is left informing the resident of a pending inspection.

Grow-ops are notorious for electrical wiring carrying heavy loads, and
power being diverted from meters.

While not all of the compromised systems found in Surrey are due to
grow-ops, most are, Garis said. The team has been in operation for 26
weeks and has disconnected 145 locations where the power systems were
compromised.

Garis said he'd like to see provincewide legislation easing up on FOI
requirements for hydro billing records, and perhaps compelling B.C.
Hydro to to provide consumption records on request. "The ultimate goal
is to drive these unsafe practices out of our residences," he said.

The project is creating interest from around the province. Langford
Fire Chief Bob Beckett is studying it and preparing a report for
Langford council.

"The intent of the program is not one of [criminal prosecution]," said
Beckett. "It's about safety, recognizing where many of these grow-ops
are in homes where they are occupied by children."