BAD CROWD, CRIME GROW WITH AREA'S GROW-OPS

Grow-ops are popping up all over Fleetwood, say worried residents of the
northeast Surrey community.

"On the street where I live, two out of 10 houses are marijuana grow-ops,"
says Gerald Miller, who bought a Fleetwood home worth $500,000 five years ago.

"In one of them, the stucco is falling off and traffic comes and goes at
odd hours. Gangs compete for product. One of them might pick our front door
by mistake.

"These are not boy scout leaders. The community is being shattered. We're
looking over our shoulders."

Miller, a 48-year-old businessman, was among 50 residents who met with
police Friday to discuss the problem.

But he said police told the residents there are only so many places they
can watch and their priority is to get convictions.

Public safety committee chairwoman Dianne Watts said a strategy is being
developed.

"We'll see what bylaws and engineering can do to help the police," she said
yesterday. "Fleetwood and Fraser Heights are hot spots for grow-ops. Public
meetings will be held in each community."

Fleetwood Community Association president Rick Hart said there are
"suspicions all over the place" about which houses are being used for grow-ops.

"There is a big concern somebody could be in the wrong place at the wrong
time and get hurt. A lot of money is involved," he said. "You don't want
somebody doing something out of frustration. That's why these groups are
meeting.

"This needs to be addresssed quickly. We need to put pressure on the
authorities."