NO CHANCES LEFT WITH NEW GROW-OP BYLAW

As organized crime gets smarter, Abbotsford's anti-grow-op bylaw just got
tougher.

This week, city councillors at the committee level voted to approve changes
to the two-year-old controlled substance property bylaw.

The bylaw was conceived to recover costs of dismantling, removal,
transportation and storage of paraphernalia from drug busts, such as
marijuana grows.

While the old version had a "one free strike" provision - whereby a property
owner was given the benefit of the doubt on a first grow-op bust - the
latest version offers no exception for first-time offences.

According to city director of development services, Grant Acheson, a
landlord who has shown "due diligence" may appeal an assessment of costs to
the chief of police and to city council.

"Given the practice of organized crime to buy or lease different properties
with different front men, it's proposed there be no exceptions for
first-time offences,'' he reported to councillors.

Elected officials praised the changes, and at the same time raised the need
for Abbotsford to follow the lead of areas such as Surrey - and adopt an
aggressive stance in busting the chronic problem of marijuana cultivation.

"I'm very supportive of these changes," said Coun. Lynne Harris.

"It's a great opportunity to deal with this serious issue, and I feel
strongly we need a public campaign in Abbotsford similar to the one in
Surrey," said Harris.

She asked Abbotsford Police Chief Ian Mackenzie what happens when someone
calls Crimestoppers to report a possible grow-op. "Whether it's a call to
Crimestoppers or a direct call to the drug squad, it will be assigned to the
drug squad," said the chief.

"They'll assess it, prioritize it. We try to develop a case we can take to a
justice of the peace to execute a search warrant and bust a grow."

Added the chief: It's a matter of volume - we get to them as quickly as we
can."

The nine-member Abbotsford drug squad was recently diverted to investigate a
series of recent homicides, but is now back to focus on anti-drug work, said
Mackenzie.

In response to a question from Mayor Mary Reeves, he estimated there could
be a couple of hundred grow-ops in Abbotsford.

In its two years of existence, Abbotsford Police recovered $10,538.35 in
costs under the controlled substance bylaw.