ONUS FALLS ON LANDLORDS

Landlords renting to marijuana growers won't face a new $10,000 municipal
fine-as long as they keep an eye on their investment.

That was the message to a nervous and somewhat beleaguered audience of
nearly 90 during an informative three hour, 40 minute meeting at city hall
Wednesday night.

Chilliwack's 'Grow Operation Health, Nuisance and Safety' bylaw is still in
its early stages. While some details may change, its crux will
remain-deterring renters from growing pot (or making chemical drugs) while
inspiring landlords to keep a closer watch on their house.

If the bylaw was passed in its current state, tenants' requirements would
include: inspecting their home for a grow-op every three months; reporting
contraventions within 24 hours; and taking action to bring their property
into compliance within two months.

As long as landlords follow the requirements, they won't be on the hook for
the city's $10,000 fine-to be collected through a civil suit. Instead,
their tenants will pay the fine.

"My fear is they're going to hand it over in cash," Mayor Clint Hames joked.

Once a grow-op is discovered, the city will inspect the property at a cost
of $200. Further inspections of up to $2,500 will be required if the house
requires major reconstruction.

Prohibition sections in the bylaw which attract the largest fines will
include: bypassing electrical and water monitors; diverting furnace exhaust
back into a home; using excessive pesticides or fertilizers inside a home;
and allowing mould or fungus to grow excessively. Common pesticides, insect
repellants, and houseplant fertilizers are still allowed.

If contaminated, the house would have to be cleansed by a professional
cleaner and its history would be listed once it's offered for sale. Those
extra costs felt like a slap in the face to landlords facing repairs
following busted basement operations.

Sitting at its first reading, the bylaw will change before its fate is
decided by council. On Wednesday, Hames seemed interested in several
amendments, including transferring cleanup and inspection fines directly to
tenants if their grow-op is reported adequately by a landlord. The mayor
adamantly defended the bylaw, saying it was a step towards a better, and
safer community.

"You're only going to get punished under this bylaw if you're not looking
after your property_this bylaw is a tool for all of us to combat this
situation," he said, which led to a rumbling and calls of 'blackmail' from
the crowd.

Using graphic photo presentations, police, fire, and hydro representatives
provided stark and shocking examples of the dangers of clandestine labs
(defined as any illegal drug manufacturing operation-including marijuana,
methamphetamine, ecstasy and others).

Last year alone Chilliwack's drug strike force responded to a reported 350
grow-ops, which Cpl. Roxanne Dowden estimated was one-third of the city's
total. "It's crazy. It's amazing how many grows we've seen since '98," she
said.

The illegal ventures aren't contained to the city's seedier neighbourhoods,
she warned, pointing to an ecstasy lab discovered in an affluent
neighbourhood on Little Mountain a few years ago which was found to be the
largest operation in North American.

"You name it, we find (clandestine labs) everywhere in Chilliwack," she said.

As grow-ops increase, so do the risks of stopping them. Grow 'rips' are
becoming more common, as thieves invade homes, stealing marijuana crops
from others instead of growing their own. This threat has led growers to
develop their own security systems. Boards with nails, electrical wires and
firearms tied to trip chords are a few examples. Last week, Dowden's strike
force found a loaded 9mm handgun under a grow-operator's pillow.

"We have had a shooting, we have had confirmed drug rips," she said.

"We're constantly doing all we can but it's an uphill battle."

Dowden suggested preventative measures when asked by an audience member how
he, as a landlord, was supposed to check in on people with loaded guns at home.

"I guess you'd have to do your applicant screening before you let someone
like that inside," she said.

Careful screening was heavily suggested throughout the night. Landlords
were urged to conduct criminal and credit checks on potential tenants.

Pointing to the list of grow rip defences, landlord Brian Selby said, "I'm
relieved we're only facing this four times a year," with his tongue firmly
in cheek.

Hames responded from the taxpayers' point of view.

"Is it not reasonable for us to expect you would look at your property
every three months?" he asked.

"We're not after you guys_every community in B.C. is going to do this," he
reasoned.

BC Hydro regional supervisor Jim Shimek suggested power users were
supplementing thieves who steal electricity through illegal bypasses. Last
year, his company lost an estimated $50 million in revenue because of grow-ops.

"We've got to get rid of these people because they're a problem for us and
a problem for you," he said.

Chilliwack Fire Department Chief Rick Ryall has seen the danger of grow-ops
first hand. In 2003, Chilliwack's fire crews responded to eight blazes
ignited by drug labs.

"It's very disturbing to find you've risked your people to save a grow-op,"
he said.

If an illegal lab or grow-op is found inside a home, Ryall pulls his men
out to protect them from unknown chemicals and unsafe electrical systems.

When the meeting finally wrapped up at 10:40 p.m., the remaining 30 people
offered polite applause. The evening shed light on a scary topic, and
offered a stark reminder of how quickly an honest investment can go to pot.

"We're not punishing landlords here tonight. What we're saying is here's a
way to help," Hames insisted.