BELCARRA TAKES ACTION AGAINST GROW OPS AND METH LABS

Belcarra is preparing to pass an anti-grow op and meth lab bylaw that would
see homeowners fined up to $2,500 for failing to comply.

All three Tri-Cities municipalities have already passed similar bylaws.

Belcarra Mayor Ralph Drew said Tuesday that although there have only been
three grow ops busted in the tiny waterfront community, population 700, the
village wants to take preventative action.

"We don't have a lot in the grand scheme of things," he said. "I mean, when
you talk to the Coquitlam RCMP, they're talking about a dozen a week in the
Tri-Cities. But we have had them, and so this is pre-emptive."

The village has scheduled a public meeting for Monday to give residents a
chance to comment on the proposed bylaw, which has already received three
readings.

Final reading is expected to take place in early September.

Drew says Belcarra will be one of the first municipalities in B.C. to adopt
this specific bylaw, crafted by well-known municipal lawyer Don Lidstone.

It is designed to provide a template for municipalities, so that B.C.
doesn't end up with a patchwork of bylaws all trying to address the same
problems.

Belcarra's last known grow op was busted three or four years ago, Drew
said, in explaining why all three were found in rental homes.

The trend now is toward grow operators setting up shop in homes they own.

While Belcarra is more isolated than most Lower Mainland communities,
making it potentially attractive to grow operators, Drew said the
small-town factor works against that.

"People think that you're off the beaten track and can hide away, right?
Well, in actual fact in a small community, everyone knows everybody ...
strange goings-on are readily observed and in fact, that's how these other
three grow ops were identified, more from observations from neighbours than
anything else."

Drew admits there are only "a handful" of rental homes in tony Belcarra.

If the bylaw passes, however, landlords will have to inspect their units at
least once every three months, to make sure there are no grow ops or meth
labs operating.

The proposed bylaw also gives added powers to the fire department, as well
as to municipal inspectors, who will be able to charge $500 for the first
inspection, and $2,500 for subsequent inspections - which will be required
if the owner or tenant does not clean up the situation as ordered.

There are also fees for re-occupancy permits if grow ops are found, as well
as for requirements that professional cleaners be brought in after a
controlled substance and/or grow op has been removed.