LIGHTS OUT FOR GROW OPS

It's lights out for grow ops in Surrey.

The Leader has learned the province, city and B.C. Hydro will announce
an unprecedented initiative that could shut power down to homes with
marijuana grow ops in this city.

In the works for some time, city crews including fire and electrical
inspectors will perform preliminary inspections regarding power
consumption, electrical permits and exterior improvements.

If a grow op is suspected, RCMP, the fire department and an electrical
inspector will knock on the door.

If there's no answer (which will be the case in most grow ops) a
72-hour notice will be placed on the door demanding an inspection, and
if one isn't allowed, power to the home will be cut off.

It'll be the same result if inspectors do gain access and discover a
grow op, as indoor pot operations always require rewiring that would
violate electrical code.

The 90-day trial is the first system like it in Canada and it will be
tested exclusively in Surrey.

Privacy issues have prevented B.C. Hydro from reporting power spikes
in order to prompt police action, and there's no indication that will
change. What's new is the power authority will respond to safety
complaints and cut off the power to the home.

Mayor Doug McCallum is thrilled with the initiative.

"It will just give us another huge tool" in tackling grow operations
in Surrey, McCallum said Thursday. "It's really exciting to finally
get a real hammer against any grow ops."

He said there will be a "number" of city staff involved in a team
approach to shutting down the power at the grow operations.

It's been estimated there are up to 4,500 grow operations in Surrey, a
figure McCallum says is high.

"We have a lot of grow ops in Surrey," said McCallum, who added police
shut down 250 last year alone. "When you take down 250 a year, it's a
lot."

He thinks the new initiative will put tremendous pressure on people
who grow marijuana in Surrey homes.

"I firmly believe it's the only way to address it," McCallum said. "If
you've got a grow op in Surrey, you better look out, because we're
going to shut you down."

Coun. Dianne Watts said the new initiative will be a quantum leap
forward in dealing with the issue.

"It is great news for Surrey and I'm glad this pilot project will be
underway within the next week or two," Watts said.

McCallum said the initiative is the brainchild of Surrey Fire Chief
Len Garis.

Garis declined comment.

An announcement is expected Friday and the "demonstration" project is
expected to begin in the several weeks.