COPS CREDIT RESIDENTS

Without neighbours keeping tabs on one another Ridge Meadows RCMP
would have a tough time getting started on marijuana grow op investigations.

"It's very rare that we actually find one of these grow ops on our
own because we're so busy," said Const. Yannick Lesarbeau of the
Ridge Meadows drug section.

"It does happen once in awhile that a police officer comes upon it,"
he said, but neighbour tips, he said, "are very, very useful."

These comments were made after the local detachment busted five grow
ops and seized approximately 4,300 plans in a single day last week.
The first home was in the 12400 block of 227 Street and the second
was in the 13200 block of 237A Street. More than 1,600 plants were
found at these homes, and three people were taken into custody.

The next three homes were in the 24100 and 24200 blocks of 104
Avenue. More than 2,700 plants in various stages of growth were
seized at these three homes, and two people were taken into custody.
One person arrested already had an outstanding warrant.

According to the police report from those busts, dayshift uniform
members stayed on to do the searches, so as not to draw from the
coverage for the rest of the district.

The members, the report said, are "frustrated with the amount of
cultivation of drugs in our community.

"While out on 104 Avenue, numerous neighbours came out to thank us
for our presence and most gave us the thumbs up as we drove by."

Neighbours coming out to thank the RCMP after they've taken down a
grow op is getting to be common, said Lesarbeau.

"It happens a lot. People have a fear to communicate with us, so
whenever we do get to them, they're very, very relieved," he said.

Residents have been especially happy after the last couple of busts, he said.

"There was more than one house on the same street and it was drawing
attention."

And while residents have come to the TIMES suggesting RCMP are not
responding promptly enough, Lesarbeau said any bust "comes down to
planning and resources."

"People obviously get frustrated in the investigation.

"They don't know exactly what we are actively working on. We have
numerous grow op [investigations] going at one time," he said, and
the RCMP files "every tip. None of them go on the backburner."