BOARD LOOKS AT GROW-OP RECOVERY COSTS

The Orillia Police Services Board passed a unanimous motion yesterday
to begin work on a draft bylaw that would set out fees to help
recover costs associated with dismantling of marijuana grow houses.

After receiving the go-ahead from city council, members of the board
voted to have manager of legislative services Gayle Jackson work with
detachment commander Terry Wright to draft the bylaw.

"I think personally that we do need something in place," said board
member George Morano, during discussions about whether to go ahead
with the bylaw.

The new bylaw would allow the city to recover costs associated with
dismantling grow houses or making them acceptable for resale, from
the property owner.

Once the draft bylaw is completed it will be submitted to council for
approval and dates for public input will be scheduled.

The board was also discussing the possibility of keeping the police
station open 24 hours a day. Members were presented with information
collected from detachments in other municipalities on how they staff
offices which are open 24 hours.

"There is a cost, a huge cost if we want to keep the doors open 24
hours," Wright told the board, noting that many detachments have an
additional five or six positions in order to cover for the shift work
associated with remaining open.

Before moving any further toward making a decision the board passed a
motion to look into the actual costs that would be associated with
keeping the Orillia detachment open 24 hours a day.

Approval was given to renew the Community Policing Partnerships
Program until 2009. The provincial cost-sharing program is used to
enhance front-line police services. Currently one local position is
funded through the program.

Board members were also offering their congratulations to detachment
operations manager Dave Lee who will be moving to Collingwood to
assume the Staff Sergeant position at that detachment.

The next meeting of the Orillia Police Services Board is scheduled for May 29.