SECRET GARDENS

Be Smart When Exploring the Outdoors These Days

The problem is not just that pot growers are getting more brazen, as
evidenced by the large pot farm discovered near the Sonoma County
landfill last week.

The problem is that growers are getting more aggressive in defending
their crops, creating growing safety concerns for landowners, hikers
and law enforcement. Those exploring remote areas, even in state and
local parks, should use caution.

As reported by Staff Writers Julie Johnson and Glenda Anderson, law
enforcement officials are encountering an unparalleled level of
violence in their marijuana eradication efforts. Many blame it on the
influence of Mexican drug cartels, which are getting more aggressive
about protecting their wares.

As a result, five suspected marijuana growers have been shot and
killed in four Northern California counties this summer alone. In the
most recent case, one person was killed during a raid near
Laytonville in Mendocino County 10 days ago. The operation involved
more than 60 officers and resulted in four arrests and the
destruction of 2,400 marijuana plants.

This is not just a problem of remote areas. Here are some recent
examples of activity by growers:

Sonoma County deputies found a garden of more than 350 marijuana
plants hidden behind a plywood fence near the county landfill on Wednesday.

U.S. Forest Service workers recently discovered that 15 large redwood
trees on a wooded section of Korbel Winery in Guerneville had been
cut down to make way for a marijuana-growing operation. The tenders
of the small pot farm had also dammed a nearby creek.

On Aug. 9, an Occidental landowner encountered an armed man on his
property. He called 911 and deputies and service dogs found 216
marijuana plants and a campsite. The suspect was not found.

Employees at a 400-acre church camp west of Lake Sonoma began warning
campers to stay close to camp and to stay off of hiking trails
because of risks from illegal pot farms in the area.

On Aug. 15, five deer hunters on a popular Cow Mountain trail in
Mendocino County encountered armed marijuana growers who threatened
them and ordered them to stay away.

We don't blame property owners and others who are weary of this
nonsense. Nobody should be threatened in this way while hiking in a
state park let alone walking on their own property. Nevertheless, the
weapons should be left at home. The best response when encountering
this kind of threat is to call 911. Those who vow to combat this
problem by arming themselves only run the risk of adding to the
bloodshed, not diminishing it.

The solution to this problem is not more violence.