CHIEF EXPLAINS HIS STATISTICS

Editor:

In response to Mr. Smith's letter to the editor (October 6, 2007) I
would like to begin by stating that (marijuana) grow operations are a
major concern to public safety.

There are tremendous amounts of information and statistics available
regarding the dangers of grow operations.

The data I researched and presented to council was obtained from many
sources.

The main information was retrieved from the Drug Analysis Section of
the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Criminal Intelligence
Service of Ontario.

Both of these credible sources identified the "40 times greater risk
of fire in a grow op."

This fact has also been stated several times in speeches delivered by
Community Safety Minister Monte Kwinter. The fire department's mandate
is to save lives and property. By being educated, aware and proactive
we can minimize the consequential hazards associated with grow ops and
protect the lives and property of our residents.

Respectfully,

Rh,aume M. Chaput, BAppBUS:ES, C.F.S.A.,

Pembroke Fire Chief