COMMUNITY'S HELP SOUGHT IN FIGHT AGAINST GROW-OPS

Halton Crime Stoppers And Local Hydro Companies Have Joined Forces To
Help Combat Illegal Grow Operations.

This year, Milton Hydro, Burlington Hydro, Oakville Hydro and Halton
Hills Hydro began distributing information brochures attached to
residents' hydro bills.

These brochures, funded through donations by regional hydro
companies, were produced to educate homeowners about the dangers
associated with illegal grow-ops and to provide residents with tips
on how to spot potential signs of a grow operation.

Don Thorne, Milton Hydro president and CEO, said the issue affects everyone.

"This is not strictly a police matter, it is a community issue; the
presence of grow houses pose health, safety and financial risks."

Last year, Halton Regional Police's drug and morality bureau
conducted 14 warrants on illegal grow-ops with a seizure of 2,155
plants, said Staff Sgt. Bob Waller, explaining this is a 100 per cent
increase over 2005.

"In addition to the drain on police resources, this type of work can
also be very dangerous to those officers participating in the
execution of the warrant due to the high potential of booby traps
that may be present," Waller said.

He added that grow operations that go undetected can become health
hazards to unsuspecting home purchasers.

Det. Gary Gold, Halton Crime Stoppers police co-ordinator, said there
are serious negative consequences to grow houses that might not be
recognized right away. These include the possibility of fire,
electrocution, organized crime involvement and violence.

"Neighbourhood property values may also decrease as a result of
damage caused by an illegal grow house," Gold added.

Residents reluctant to give information about a grow house directly
to police have the option of calling Crime Stoppers.

The information is forwarded to police for further investigation, but
the tipsters remain anonymous and are never asked for a statement or
to testify in court.

Crime Stoppers of Halton can be reached at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or
www.haltoncrimestoppers.com.