HYDRO GOING TO POT?

The escalating costs of hydro is just one more good reason to help Halton
Regional Police shut down illegal drug-growing operations.

There are some groups -- particularly a vocal segment from British Columbia
that e-mails the Beaver on a regular basis -- which believe the police have
far more worrisome criminals to chase than the folks who choose to grow
marijuana for a living.

This editorial, however, is not about debating the issue of decriminalizing
pot.

Instead, we want to reiterate the danger these grow houses pose to
otherwise quiet, safe neighbourhoods as well as the cost of stealing
electricity.

Often the electrical power supply meters inside the houses are altered so
that sufficient power can be routed into the grow house without it
registering on the meter, explain police.

Not only does this method of sourcing electricity create a fire hazard, it
also steals hydro from the utility producing it. This in turn increases
power usage and can affect power prices. And we think we know how Oakville
residents feel about the surge in hydro costs.

Police estimate each grow house harvest uses $15,000 worth of electricity,
or enough to operate about 20 homes. A marijuana harvest takes 3-4 months.
So that's about $3,500-4,000 per month on the electric bill.

The potential for a deadly fire and theft of electricity are two compelling
reasons to put an end to such activity in your neighbourhood.

Halton Police are hoping to hear from residents who believe a grow house is
operating on their street. Operations Green Sweep 1 and 2 wiped out a
number of marijuana labs, but investigators remain convinced there are
still more out there.

When the police raids were garnering headlines earlier this year, the
public was quick to call into police with tips. Those calls, however, have
dwindled. If you have concerns about a home on your street Crime Stoppers
is just a phone call away.

Closing down grow houses is not about the pros and cons of legalizing pot.

It's about safety and theft.