TASK FORCE TACKLES GROW-OP PROBLEM

A task force has been established to take on Abbotsford's growing problem
with marijuana grow operations, the city said last week.

A workshop was held recently to discuss the issue, and included city
councillors, Abbotsford Police, RCMP, the fire department and
representatives from the real estate industry and financial institutions,
Block Watch, and concerned citizens.

The workshop produced a list of initiatives to guide the city's response to
combating grow-ops.

A task force, chaired by Mayor Mary Reeves, was established and will begin
work on converting the suggestions into action. All seats on the task force
have been filled.

"I'm very pleased with the quality ideas from our participants. I'm hopeful
that the newly-created task force can develop a program to guide the City's
efforts to eliminate grow ops," said Reeves.

In the past six months, Abbotsford Police have stepped up efforts to bust
grow operations, and the city tightened up a bylaw that allows emergency
officials to charge for costs associated with taking down a grow operation.