RESIDENTS PLAY KEY ROLE IN PLOT TO HALT GROW-OPS

City Plans Public Education Programs
Twice As Many Pot Houses As Last Year

With an explosion in marijuana grow-op houses around Toronto,
residents need to learn the tell-tale signs, and city bylaw
enforcement staff need the power to enter buildings suspected of
housing the illegal operations, says the planning and transportation
committee.

"We have to come forward with a program to educate the public ... on
how to recognize these grow houses so they can be reported to the
police," said Councillor Gerry Altobello (Ward 35, Scarborough
Southwest), chair of the committee.

"I think it's a worthwhile project."

The committee also approved Altobello's second motion requesting the
province, which has introduced Bill 128 to curb marijuana grow
operations, grant city staff the authority to enter properties without
a search.

City staff can easily be denied entry to properties by residents,
preventing them from dealing with safety hazards posed in many
grow-ops, such as dangerous mould build-up, the removal of stairs or
holes in the roof to provide ventilation, which are often found in
such places, Altobello said.

Toronto police Detective Court Booth told the committee that as of
last weekend, 279 grow-ops have been investigated in the city since
the beginning of the year; 154 of them in Scarborough. That's compared
to 140 in all of 2003. Booth noted that four years ago, only 30 were
found in Toronto.

The proliferation of grow-ops in Toronto stems from increased police
enforcement, which has led to the "displacement" of illegal operations
across the GTA, Booth said.

Criminals have moved into Toronto, often replacing sites in isolated
locations with four or five units in apartment buildings or a suburban
home, Booth added.

Booth also noted that a study of 22,500 offences related to marijuana
growing in B.C. found only about 1.5 per cent of those charged
received a jail sentence.

"There's big money here," said Councillor Mike Del Grande (Ward 39,
Scarborough-Agincourt).

"Is there anybody surprised that we have more grow houses because
nobody goes to jail?"

Councillor Norm Kelly (Ward 40, Scarborough-Agincourt) was dismayed
that so much of the illegal activity is focused in Toronto's outlying
neighbourhoods.

"The suburbs ain't what they used to be. Quiet, family-friendly
neighbourhoods are under assault right now," said Kelly, citing the
emergence of marijuana grow houses as a major factor.

Police have been information-sharing with city agencies once grow-op
sites have been confirmed.

But a formal protocol has yet to be signed and several major issues
have to be worked out. A draft policy will be presented to city
council when it meets on Nov. 30.