NO ONE 'EXEMPT'

Winnipeg Police Publish List Of City Growops, Including Four In
Northeast Area

Residents near two grow-ops in northeast Winnipeg say it can happen in
any neighbourhood, at any time.

With the help of the Winnipeg Real Estate Board, Winnipeg Police
recently posted the addresses of known marijuana grow operations on
its website, saying the purpose is to inform potential buyers of the
homes' past use.

Of the 29 addresses published, four were in the Herald-area; two in
Elmwood and two in North Kildonan.

Don, who lives less than a block away from one of the Elmwood
grow-ops, said he didn't even know the grow-op existed.

"What everybody else does is (what) they do, you can't control it," he
added. "I guess it would have an effect on property values."

But Margaret, who lives next door to the same Elmwood grow-op, said
people haven't been scared away because the house on the other side of
the grow-op sold very quickly.

"I don't think it'll make a difference," she said. "It's happening
everywhere.

"You never know who your neighbours are going to be."

Margaret said the people who rented the grow-op house were rarely
there and didn't say hello to neighbours.

She also said she hopes this won't further stigmatize the community,
especially when one considers that many of the published addresses are
in higher-income neighbourhoods.

"Everybody knows each other here and it's well-maintained," Margaret
said, as she looked up and down the street of manicured lawns and
nicely decorated houses.

"I think people are kidding themselves to think their neighbourhood is
exempt from (grow-ops)," said a resident near one of the North
Kildonan grow-ops, who requested anonymity.

She added that she's not concerned her home's property value may be
affected.

Another neighbour said the addresses should be published, so that
people buying the homes know what they're getting into, since grow-ops
often leave behind rot and mould.

"I imagine (property values) would be affected, but I'm not going to
panic," said the resident, who also asked that his name not be published.

The addresses are: 951 McCalman Ave., 142 Stanier St., 10 Tanya Cres.
and 202 Rushmore Rd.

The rest of the list can be accessed on the police website
http://www.winnipeg.ca/police

How do you tell if a house near you is a grow-op?

The Winnipeg Police Service offers the following hints:

* Residents only attend the home occasionally for short periods of
time.

* Equipment, such as large fans, lights, plastic plant containers and
soil, are carried into the house at odd hours.

* The exterior appearance of the property is untidy.

* To conceal activities, entry is often made into the home using only
the garage door.

* Garbage containing used soil and plant material is discarded in the
surrounding area.

* Windows are covered to prevent light from entering the home and to
conceal activities.

* Bright light can be seen escaping from windows and windows are often
covered with condensation.

* Hydro meters are tampered with.

* Sounds of construction and ventilation fans can sometimes be
heard.

* The growing marijuana produces a strong skunk-like odour that can be
detected outside the home.