NEW PLANS FOR FIGHTING GROW-OPS ANNOUNCED TODAY

Niagara Falls will be the backdrop today when Ontario's Community
Safety Minister Monte Kwinter announces a new initiative to combat
marijuana-growing operations.

Kwinter, Niagara Falls MPP Kim Craitor and Ontario Fire Marshal Pat
Burke will make the announcement at the Morrison Street fire station
in Niagara Falls.

Burke was the city's fire chief before taking the job as Ontario's
fire marshal last year.

While he was chief, the fire department began taking an aggressive
approach on indoor grow-ops. People who run them often rewire the
homes to bypass hydro meters, so they can get large amounts of
electricity without being detected. Hydroponic growing equipment,
including powerful lights, require a lot of energy.

The amateur rewiring jobs sometimes leaves the house a fire hazard,
authorities say.