PLATEAU RESIDENTS DISCUSS GROW OPS

Some Westwood Plateau residents who want to "Stop the Grow
Operations" left a community meeting Wednesday night frustrated about
the limitations placed on the municipality, BC Hydro, law enforcement
officials and firefighters when it comes to dealing with marijuana grow ops.

About 75 people attended the two-hour meeting, hosted by the Westwood
Plateau Community Association at Summit Community Centre. A similar
meeting two years ago drew almost 200 people.

"The legislation is hitting the criminals with a sponge bat," one
resident told representatives from the Coquitlam RCMP Marijuana
Enforcement Team (MET), Port Coquitlam Fire/Rescue, BC Hydro and
Coquitlam Mayor Maxine Wilson.

However, most questions from the audience were about how fast the
police can investigate and bust a grow op and what kind of punishment
criminals get, which are federal matters.

A letter from Port Moody-Moody-Westwood-Port Coquitlam MP James Moore
stated that new legislation is on the way to deal with drugs, but not
all residents were satisfied.

So far this year, the MET has busted 216 marijuana grow ops in
Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam.

"We need more than just talk," one man said.

Another resident wondered what the political will is with respect to
seizing homes used for grow ops, to recover costs.

Wilson said that's a federal issue.

"It's not straightforward," she said.

Const. Raymond Stanford, a member of the MET, said there are
currently 10 homes in Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam in the process of
being seized under Proceeds of Crime legislation, but none have been
formally seized and sold yet.

Elisha Moreno, spokesperson for BC Hydro, pointed out that a home
with a grow op will consume between three and 10 times the power of
an average household. However, currently BC Hydro can only report
suspected theft of electricity to police, not high consumption.

"We do very aggressively investigate electrical theft," Moreno said.
"We will find you and turn it off."

If BC Hydro suspects theft, it turns the power off and sends the
homeowner a bill for what it thinks was stolen, Moreno said. If the
bill is paid, the power is turned back on, but police are still
notified. Moreno also pointed out that BC Hydro gets close to 6,000
requests from police for information every year.

When it comes to extreme consumption, Moreno said BC Hydro can't do
anything if the bills are being paid on time.

"What they're using the electricity for, we don't get into," she said.

However, upcoming changes to the Safety Standards Act could change that.

One woman asked why BC Hydro doesn't prosecute all cases of
electrical theft, and Moreno replied that the utility is only
concerned with cost recovery, and only sues civilly for what it is
owed. Police are responsible for criminal charges.

Assistant fire Chief Patrick McPhillips said his first experience
with a grow op was 12 years ago, while fighting a fire.

"We'd heard of them but never expected to find one in Coquitlam," he said.

McPhillips said grow ops are a danger to neighbourhoods, because of
the risk of fire, and to firefighters going into a home with a grow op inside.

He said the fire department is concerned with safety, not
enforcement, and a task force similar to ones formed in Abbotsford
and Surrey is in the process of being put together in Coquitlam.

"I can't announce anything yet," Wilson added. "We are aware of
initiatives that have taken place in Surrey and Abbotsford."

She said the city is also planning to draft bylaws dealing with cost
recovery and marijuana grow ops in the city.

Residents did receive information about what to do if they suspect a
grow op is in their neighbourhood, and what signs to look for during
a presentation by Stanford.

Stanford said that covered windows, condensation, bright lights, "No
Trespassing" signs in the yard, a "skunk-like" or rotting cabbage
smell in the air, a humming sound from a generator or fans and
strange garbage contents such as used soil, fertilizer, chemicals and
1,000-watt light bulbs are all signs of a possible grow op.

Others include Christmas lights up all year, surveillance cameras,
security bars, a lack of activity or furniture or vehicles arriving
at strange hours and only driving directly into the garage. However,
while people should be alert, Stanford urged residents not to conduct
their own investigations into suspected grow operations or approach
people who may be involved in a grow op.

"There's no sense in putting your personal safety at risk to get a
licence plate - it's just not worth it," he cautioned.

Instead, Stanford urged people to collect information such as the
address of the suspected grow op, to document suspicious activity and
smells and call the Coquitlam RCMP at 604-945-1550 and ask for the
reporting desk. Those who want to stay anonymous can call Crime
Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

An audience member asked why tips can't be made anonymously directly
to the local police or city, to which Stanford replied that police
will take a name and number to get more information. If the case goes
to court, then it is decided how safe it would be to have a tipster testify.

"Your safety is paramount to us," Stanford said.

Wilson said the city will take callers' tips and personal
information, but won't tell anyone where their tips come from.

Moreno said BC Hydro's focus is on diversions, or theft of
electricity. She said not only is it a crime, but electrical theft
creates hazards, increases the cost of electricity for other users
and causes damage to property, electrical equipment and the environment.

She said signs of electrical theft include extra conductors, a meter
explosion, a meter with a copper jumper inside, ballasts, fans and a
pre-meter riser inside the wall, which she called "an extremely
dangerous situation."

"These are accidents waiting to happen," Moreno said.

Westwood Plateau Community Association president Dan O'Hearn said
residents can help stop grow ops in their community by reporting
suspicions, sending a letter to their MP and signing petitions. "It's
all about taking a stand," he said.