News (Media Awareness Project) - CN BC: Talking Grow Ops At Town Hall |
| Title: | CN BC: Talking Grow Ops At Town Hall |
| Published On: | 2006-04-25 |
| Source: | Maple Ridge Times (CN BC) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-14 06:40:32 |
TALKING GROW OPS AT TOWN HALL
Concerns about drugs were at the top of the agenda when people had
the chance to ask questions of three of Maple Ridge's politicians on
Thursday.
Mayor Gord Robson, MLA Randy Hawes and MP Randy Kamp took questions
on a range of topics including homelessness, garbage, gravel,
apprenticeship programs and finances. About 60 people attended the
meeting, which was held at Planet Ice.
But during the two-hour meeting, drugs and drug houses generated the
most discussion.
Mayor Robson was asked what could be done about marijuana grow
operations in a resident's neighbourhood.
On Thursday, Ridge Meadows RCMP found 691 plants in one home near the
227 Street and 116 Avenue intersection and another 722 plants in
another house in the same neighbourhood. The investigation began
because of hydro theft complaints.
Robson said Friday he knew at Thursday's meeting that police were
going to raid the homes but didn't know at the town hall whether the
raid had yet occurred.
"Police were taking them down as she spoke," said Robson of the grow
ops.
Because he couldn't say anything, a discussion then took place about
the limited abilities of bylaw enforcement officers to deal with
marijuana grow operations.
But the most officers can do is issue tickets for violating district
bylaws, said Robson.
One man then commented that the federal and provincial governments
need to change laws "so that Mayor Robson can do his job."
Kamp said the drug concerns raised during the town hall illustrate
how the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government need
to work together to solve problems.
"No one level of government can deal with this effectively," he said.
Drugs not only need to be looked at from a law enforcement angle but
also from a health angle, said Kamp.
Hawes, who organized the meeting, said the town hall reinforced for
him that local politicians from the municipal, provincial and federal
levels need to work together.
He said another town hall meeting with this same format will be held
again, perhaps in the fall.
Concerns about drugs were at the top of the agenda when people had
the chance to ask questions of three of Maple Ridge's politicians on
Thursday.
Mayor Gord Robson, MLA Randy Hawes and MP Randy Kamp took questions
on a range of topics including homelessness, garbage, gravel,
apprenticeship programs and finances. About 60 people attended the
meeting, which was held at Planet Ice.
But during the two-hour meeting, drugs and drug houses generated the
most discussion.
Mayor Robson was asked what could be done about marijuana grow
operations in a resident's neighbourhood.
On Thursday, Ridge Meadows RCMP found 691 plants in one home near the
227 Street and 116 Avenue intersection and another 722 plants in
another house in the same neighbourhood. The investigation began
because of hydro theft complaints.
Robson said Friday he knew at Thursday's meeting that police were
going to raid the homes but didn't know at the town hall whether the
raid had yet occurred.
"Police were taking them down as she spoke," said Robson of the grow
ops.
Because he couldn't say anything, a discussion then took place about
the limited abilities of bylaw enforcement officers to deal with
marijuana grow operations.
But the most officers can do is issue tickets for violating district
bylaws, said Robson.
One man then commented that the federal and provincial governments
need to change laws "so that Mayor Robson can do his job."
Kamp said the drug concerns raised during the town hall illustrate
how the municipal, provincial and federal levels of government need
to work together to solve problems.
"No one level of government can deal with this effectively," he said.
Drugs not only need to be looked at from a law enforcement angle but
also from a health angle, said Kamp.
Hawes, who organized the meeting, said the town hall reinforced for
him that local politicians from the municipal, provincial and federal
levels need to work together.
He said another town hall meeting with this same format will be held
again, perhaps in the fall.
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