YOU CAN'T JUDGE A BOOK -- OR A HOUSE -- BY ITS COVER

Do you know what a marijuana growhouse looks like?

I thought I did. After all, I've written countless stories on the
subject and know all the signs to look for.

But then I stopped by a McNeil Drive home that was the scene of a
major marijuana plant seizure early Wednesday morning and the first
thought that came to mind was, "This can't be the right house."

It just looked so, well, normal and well-kept. There were flowers in
the garden, two cheery chairs on the porch and even a flower pot in a
"welcome" plant stand, for Pete's sake. How could anyone suspect this house?

Looks can be deceiving.

Evidently, I wasn't the only surprised one. I chatted with a couple
of neighbours on the street, who both said they'd had no idea. This
is a family-oriented street, they both said. Not the type of place
where you would expect drugs to be grown.

For those who don't know, some of the signs to look out for are
condensation on windows that are usually covered, and a lack of a
"lived-in" look. Although, as I saw, that doesn't mean the house
isn't well maintained.

In most cases, nobody actually lives there, said Det. Glenn Mannella
of Halton Regional Police. As well, people may come and go at odd hours.

Milton Fire Department training technician Barry Kory emphasized the
importance of shutting down these operations. They can be dangerous
for the occupants, their neighbours and future homebuyers who might
not be aware of dangerous mould lurking within the walls.

Kory said they pose a great fire hazard since they often tap into
hydro illegally and have equipment that can short circuit.

He said he thinks as Milton continues to grow, we'll have more of
these illegal activities.

With a developing town come great conveniences. Unfortunately, it
also offers a greater degree of anonymity for criminals.

One characteristic of a small town is everybody knows everybody
else's business. That can be both good and bad, but when it comes to
growhouses, watchful eyes are definitely good.

So keep your eyes and ears open. And don't be fooled by a pretty facade.