PLAN WOULD LIST FORMER GROW-OP HOMES ONLINE

Homes used for marijuana grow operations could soon be posted online to
raise awareness about the illegal activity that police say is increasing
"dramatically" in this city.

The proposal is among initiatives announced Wednesday by the Stop Grow-Ops
Calgary Coalition, a group of more than 40 stakeholders including city
officials, police, fire and real estate representatives that joined forces
a year ago to rid communities of grow ops.

Coalition chairwoman Ald. Diane Colley-Urquhart is calling on the public to
play a vital role in weeding out criminals who operate the illegal
businesses and to phone police with tips.

"The citizens of Calgary need to continue to be vigilant to take back their
communities," she said.

Alberta Solicitor General Harvey Cenaiko endorsed the coalition's objectives.

"One of the police's most powerful tools in the fight against drug
operations and other crimes is an active and aware community," said Cenaiko.

A pamphlet entitled Grow Ops: Know the Dangers will be sent to residents,
after corporate sponsorship is secured, to inform the public about the
risks of living near such homes.

Threats include deadly toxins from chemicals, fire and electrocution
hazards because of bypassed electricity and overloaded circuits, as well as
environmental damage.

Educating the public about the danger of grow ops should encourage more
tips from the public, said Det. Nina Vaughan of the Calgary Police
Service's drug unit.

"The magnitude of it is such that we just don't have the resources to fight
it alone," said Vaughan.

The volume of marijuana seized in raids on homes in the city has doubled in
recent years, said Vaughan.

Investigators collected $101 million worth of marijuana in 2004 compared to
$53 million in 2003, she said.

"Part of that is the fact that we have dedicated more resources to it,"
said Vaughan.

But the number of marijuana grow operations in the city has also increased
"dramatically," she added.

"It is a significant problem. It's in every neighbourhood in Calgary," said
Vaughan.

The coalition is planning to draft a bylaw that would enable the fire
department to seize and properly dispose of chemicals found in grow ops,
said Colley-Urquhart.

She added that the coalition is also seeking a bylaw to incorporate the
cost of remediating grow-op houses into the property tax bill.

Coalition website www.stopmgos.com is under construction and should be
active by the end of the year, said Colley-Urquhart.

But whether the group will gain access to the addresses of former grow
operations in Calgary is up in the air because the province's Freedom of
Information and Protection of Privacy Act restricts the release of such
information.

Ron Esch, executive director of the Calgary Real Estate Board and
co-chairman of the coalition, said the group is attempting to obtain the
information through the Calgary Health Region, which assesses properties
that have been used to grow marijuana plants.

"They have the list and it's a case of us working with them to get that
list," said Esch, adding he is "reasonably" confident of obtaining the
information.

"Their lawyers are looking at the freedom of information legislation to
determine whether they are permitted to do that."

Regardless, the coalition's website will post public impact statements and
testimonials about the impact of marijuana grow operations on communities,
said Colley-Urquhart.