FIRE FIGHTER BACK IN COURT

A Township firefighter charged with allegedly stealing a halogen
light from a home he was inspecting, is back in court again on Oct. 8.

John Mackay, a fire inspector who was with the Township's Public
Safety Inspection Team, is charged with theft under $5,000 in
connection with a halogen light taken from a home which was inspected
by the team in May.

The team was disbanded after the accusation and fire chief Doug Wade
ordered an audit of the inspection team.

Langley RCMP investigated and recommended the charge of theft against
Mackay which was approved by Crown counsel.

Since then, Mackay has been put on administrative duties within the
fire department.

Township council re-instated the team in the summer with a few
changes to how it operates. It now has more involvement and input
from the RCMP.

Prior to it being disbanded, the inspection team had found evidence
of more than 200 grow operations in less than a year.

The PSIT shuts down power sources that pose a danger, usually caused
by a marijuana source. They investigate premises where excessive use
of electricity has been found by B.C. Hydro.

But the safety inspection team is being challenged by at least three
home owners who have filed petitions asking the B.C. Supreme Court to
declare their actions unconstitutional.

The homeowners were subject to property searches by the team.