CITY BYLAWS PUSHING OUT POT GROW OPS

Bylaws that target marijuana grow operations in
the City of Pitt Meadows have nearly stamped out
the illegal enterprise, according to figures
released by the municipality and police.

Not one grow op was busted by RCMP in Pitt
Meadows last year, while only one inspection was
conducted under the city's marijuana grow
operation bylaw, which targets houses with
abnormally high energy usage =AD more than 93
kilowatt-hours of electricity per day.

At the beginning of January, officers dismantled
one grow operation that housed more than 800 marijuana plants.

Neighbouring Maple Ridge, meanwhile, saw 63 grow op busts in 2010.

I think they've moved out,=94 said bylaw enforcement officer Leslie
Elchuk.

Since the city's marijuana grow op bylaw came
into effect in 2007, inspections to properties
using too much electricity have steadily dropped.

Elchuk and her inspection team visited 38 homes
in 2007, followed by 12 in 2008 and seven in 2009.

For each inspection, the homeowner was billed
around $3,000, raking in approximately $174,000
in fees for the city since the bylaw has been in place.

It makes a difference. It is a good thing,=94 said Elchuk.

Last year, the city also went after legal medical
marijuana operations by putting in place a bylaw
that prohibits anyone from growing the plant for
others in residential and agricultural zones.

Growing a small amount of medical pot for
personal use is still permitted within city limits.

The seeming demise of illegal marijuana grow
operations won't stop Elchuk from keeping any eye
on properties which are hovering near the high hydro consumption threshold.

Neither will the threat of class action lawsuits.
Coquitlam and Mission, which have a similar
bylaw, are already facing litigation.

It is a public safety issue,=94 stresses Elchuk.

If you live in a residential area, we need to
make sure everything is OK in the house.=94

David Eby of the B.C. Civil Liberties Association
is concerned that municipal officials are using
bylaws to get around the constitutional
requirements of police officers, which he called
=93an unconstitutional approach to the law.=94

The association was an intervener in a case in
May 2010 that found Surrey safety inspections
were contrary to the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Since the court case, Elchuk says the city is
more careful about which houses its inspection team targets.

We have to do our due diligence so that when we
knock on the door we really believe that there is something there,=94 she
added.

Most homeowners comply with Elchuk's request for inspection.

If they refuse, the city must seek a warrant to enter the property.

Elchuk has not yet needed to apply for a warrant to inspect a property.

It's not difficult to get one,=94 she added.

Police also welcome the city's initiative, even
if it may be pushing grow operations into Maple Ridge.

The RCMP believe the bylaws send a very clear
message to anyone who wants to grow marijuana in
Pitt Meadows, legally or illegally.

Ridge Meadows RCMP support both of our mayors and
councils on all bylaws, especially those which
enhance public safety,=94 said Supt. Dave Walsh.

- - with files from Black Press