NOSES KNOW WHO GROWS

One Fairfield Island neighbourhood boasts three fewer marijuana grow-ops
this week-thanks in large part to nosy neighbours.

The trio of takedowns began two weeks ago when police raided an illegal
garden on Killarney Street. Officers returned July 27 with a warrant to
dismantle a grow-op two doors down from the earlier bust. While working at
that second operation, police were approached by neighbours who offered to
assist on a rare neighbourhood hat trick.

"People noticed while walking their dogs at night they could smell the
smell of marijuana," offered Const. Steve Hiscoe.

Sure enough, the keen-nosed neighbours were right, leading to 848 pot
plants being pulled from a house in the 10000 block of Fairbanks Drive.
Electricity was disconnected for safety reasons. City of Chilliwack workers
also dropped by and are taking action pursuant to the Nuisance, Noxious,
Offensive Trade, Health and Safety bylaw.

Hiscoe wasn't sure if the Killarney/Fairbanks area is home to graduates of
the city's innovative Grow Watch program. Still, he said citizens made the
right move by informing police of possibly illegal behaviour. "This is what
the spirit of Grow Watch is all about."

The innovative Grow Watch program was introduced May 31.

To learn more about the Grow Watch program, call Chilliwack's community
policing office at 604-792-8030.