GROW-OP PROJECT A 'SUCCESS'

Staff would like the City of Pitt Meadows to continue a project which
eliminates residential marijuana grow operations in the community
through safety inspections.

In a report to council Tuesday, city bylaw inspector Leslie Elchuk
said the pilot project targeted 38 homes with abnormally high
electrical consumption since it began in February.

Out of the 38 files, 32 homes were inspected, 17 of which showed signs
of an illegal and lucrative marijuana crop.

"It's been very successful," said Elchuk.

Under the province's Safety Standards Amendment Act, B.C. Hydro can
share domestic electrical consumption information with municipal
safety authorities.

A residence has abnormal consumption if it uses more than 93
kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity per day, or three-times the
average. An average home uses 31 kWh a day.

Once the information is received, Pitt Meadows staff research the
house, looking for inexplicable spikes in electricity and water use.

If the information gleaned points to a possible grow-op, a 24-hour
notice of inspection is posted on the house.

RCMP officers accompany the team comprised of a bylaw officer,
building, fire and electrical inspector on all inspections and clear
the house if a grow-op is found.

A no-occupancy notice is posted at the house if an electrical bypass,
mould or furnace modifications are detected.

Elchuk said 11 of the 17 homes suspected of housing a marijuana growop
were repaired before the inspection.

Inspectors found evidence of children living in the premises in two
homes and contacted the Ministry of Children and Family
Development.

The inspections cost the city $4,000 in the past six months.

Elchuk has recommended the city hired an electrical inspector if they
continue the inspection program.

Council is to make a final decision on the program at a meeting next
Tuesday.