News (Media Awareness Project) - CN BC: Pot Grow Ops Hit Upscale Newton Neighbourhood |
| Title: | CN BC: Pot Grow Ops Hit Upscale Newton Neighbourhood |
| Published On: | 2005-06-10 |
| Source: | Surrey Leader (CN BC) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-01-16 02:54:30 |
POT GROW OPS HIT UPSCALE NEWTON NEIGHBOURHOOD
Residents react with fear as homes used for cultivating
marijuana
Residents of an upscale neighbourhood are expressing frustration this
week after two grow op related incidents indicate the indoor pot
plantation business has arrived.
People living in the Harvest Wine subdivision in Newton are reacting
with fear and dismay after police attended a grow operation and a
failed grow rip in a matter of days.
One exasperated resident scrawled "Pot Growers Not Welcome!" on a
suspected grower's garage.
Another local, who didn't want to be identified, said Wednesday t he
community feels powerless in large part because of the court system.
"You can't do catch and release," she said.
She also said some of the problem lies in the community, which is
fairly transient, even though the homes sell for close to $400,000.
"We've been here over 10 years, and there's only about three that have
stuck around," she said, adding if people knew their neighbours
better, pot grow operations might be identified more quickly.
She added that because of the magnitude of the problem, "no
neighbourhood is exempt."
Police are continuing to find grow ops in expensive homes bought by
the growers, which police believe is a way of laundering money.
Where marijuana grow operations used to be primarily in rental units,
police say more than 90 per cent of them are now in grower-owned homes.
Last week's police takedown in the 14700-block of 75A Avenue netted
$225,000 worth of plants in a home that was purchased for just over
$300,000 two years ago.
City officials have recognized the problem for some time and lobbied
senior levels of government for stiffer penalties.
The city also bills homeowners for the costs associated with the
takedown, including police, fire, and bylaw expenses.
Meanwhile, the Surrey fire department has launched an initiative where
suspected grow operators will be given 48 hours notice to allow a city
inspection. Failure to comply will result in the the electricity being
cut off to the home.
Residents react with fear as homes used for cultivating
marijuana
Residents of an upscale neighbourhood are expressing frustration this
week after two grow op related incidents indicate the indoor pot
plantation business has arrived.
People living in the Harvest Wine subdivision in Newton are reacting
with fear and dismay after police attended a grow operation and a
failed grow rip in a matter of days.
One exasperated resident scrawled "Pot Growers Not Welcome!" on a
suspected grower's garage.
Another local, who didn't want to be identified, said Wednesday t he
community feels powerless in large part because of the court system.
"You can't do catch and release," she said.
She also said some of the problem lies in the community, which is
fairly transient, even though the homes sell for close to $400,000.
"We've been here over 10 years, and there's only about three that have
stuck around," she said, adding if people knew their neighbours
better, pot grow operations might be identified more quickly.
She added that because of the magnitude of the problem, "no
neighbourhood is exempt."
Police are continuing to find grow ops in expensive homes bought by
the growers, which police believe is a way of laundering money.
Where marijuana grow operations used to be primarily in rental units,
police say more than 90 per cent of them are now in grower-owned homes.
Last week's police takedown in the 14700-block of 75A Avenue netted
$225,000 worth of plants in a home that was purchased for just over
$300,000 two years ago.
City officials have recognized the problem for some time and lobbied
senior levels of government for stiffer penalties.
The city also bills homeowners for the costs associated with the
takedown, including police, fire, and bylaw expenses.
Meanwhile, the Surrey fire department has launched an initiative where
suspected grow operators will be given 48 hours notice to allow a city
inspection. Failure to comply will result in the the electricity being
cut off to the home.
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