NEIGHBOURS ENTHUSIASTIC ABOUT GROW-OP BUSTS

Maple Ridge RCMP Report That People Are Cheering Them On As They Take
Down Grow-Ops.

On 104th Avenue, where three marijuana grow-operations were found and
two people arrested Thursday, police said "numerous neighbours" came
out of their homes and thanked them, while others driving by gave
them a "thumbs-up."

"That gave us a good feeling, to know that we're making a difference
for them," RCMP Sgt. Marc Alexander said.

He also said police are frustrated by the amount of drug cultivation
in the community, although "dayshift uniform members happily stayed
on to do these searches."

Police have taken down at least seven grow-ops in the past 10 days,
seizing more than 5,700 pot plants, many in expensive, new subdivisions.

That's some high-priced weed, considering the cost of dismantling a
grow-op, the time it takes and the number of officers required -- as
many as 25.

Then there's paperwork to follow, court appearances if arrests are made.

And for what? Growers usually end up back on the street in no time.

Legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana is not going to solve the
problem with policing resources, not as long as it's illegal in the U.S.

Organized crime is still going to cultivate pot to trade in the U.S.
for cash, cocaine and guns, and police are still going to have to
dismantle illegal grow-ops here.

So while we wait for stricter sentences for drug-related crimes, we
can continue to help the few officers we have by weeding out
suspected pot growers in our neighbourhoods.

Ridge-Meadows RCMP "can't deal with this problem alone," Sgt. Alexander said.

So give them a hand, in addition to applause.

"You call us," Alexander said, "and be part of the solution."

- -- The Maple Ridge News