BLOCK WATCH CAN COMBAT GROW-OPS

"How can we recognize grow-ops in our own community?" asked Langley
Township resident Judith Macleod during Wednesday's marijuana town
hall forum at Newlands.

Her question proved to be a popular concern amongst Langley residents.
Many wanted to know how they could protect their own neighbourhoods
from encroaching criminal activity caused by grow-ops.

"Today many grow-ops are conducted in upscale, nice, family
neighbourhoods," said RCMP Cpl. Dave Fleuge.

He warns that residential grow-ops are dangerous to neighbouring
houses.

"Fire scenes are becoming more and more common because of the high
level of electricity and power the grow-ops use," he said.

"An increase in home invasions, drive-bys and other forms of violence
are happening in good neighbourhoods because of grow-ops," said
Staff-Sgt. Brian Cantera. "There is also a higher percentage of
murders, some of which occur in broad daylight, traumatizing witnesses
for years to come."

According to Cantera, the simplest way to prevent grow-ops from moving
to Langley neighbourhoods is to form a Block Watch program.

A Block Watch program is a free community-based crime prevention
program administered by local police. Residents on a street or in a
complex make a commitment to watch out for each other's homes, and
report suspicious activities to the police and to each other. The
program is not limited strictly to residents of single-family
dwellings, as townhouse, apartment, or moblie home park residents can
also participate and form a successful Block Watch.

"Criminals don't want to run a grow-op in Block Watch communites,"
said Langley RCMP municipal employee Gerrie Wise. "Communities have
been able to get enough evidence for police to obtain a warrant and
shut down a grow-op."

For more information about the Block Watch program, contact Gerrie
Wise at 604-532-3213 or call Mary, Block Watch Assistant at
604-532-3364.