GROW OPS AT HOME IN ANY COMMUNITY

Not in your backyard? When it comes to marijuana grow operations,
police say, "think again." They're everywhere.

They can be found in most residential neighbourhoods -- old and new.
No single location factor is used, although they're often near schools
and community centres.

There are signs neighbours can look for, particularly if the house
doesn't appear lived in and has little furniture and visitors show up
several times a day at strange hours.

Visitors may also pick up mail and move children's toys around the
front yard to give it a lived-in look. The home's basement windows
might be boarded up or covered and heavy with condensation. In the
winter, large icicles may form where they normally wouldn't.

There could be strong, sometimes skunk-like smells in the area and
mail slots might be taped shut to contain it. Neighbours should also
be alert to unusual wiring and hoses running from doors or windows.

Gardening supplies may be plentiful in winter, while the roof is bare
of snow and frost.

VIDEO SURVEILLANCE

Brownish stains may bleed down the siding and doors may be locked with
heavy padlocks, metal bars and chains. "Beware of dog" signs and video
surveillance are not uncommon.

It's vital for the community to be aware of the telltale signs of a
grow house and call police if they become suspicious, said RCMP Staff
Sgt. Jacques Lemieux. In this city's latest large bust, he wonders why
police weren't tipped off by residents.

"The description and the pointers were so obvious, how come people
didn't call in? I am not blaming the community -- it's just that if
they didn't notice it, you can imagine how hard it is for us to find
out about all of these."

If neighbours are afraid to call in tips, there are anonymous methods,
such as Crime Stoppers, he said. "If it does pan out, they might even
get a couple of bucks."