WHITEHEAD CALLS FOR BULLDOZING OF POT GROW-OP HOMES

City Should Make Breaking the Law 'A Little More Costly,' He Says

A Mountain councillor is calling on the city to consider bulldozing
homes used to grow marijuana.

Ward 8 Councillor Terry Whitehead said he favours adopting the City
of Niagara Falls' approach to dealing with home grow-ops after
problems experienced by a "high-end neighbourhood" on the West Mountain.

"The building sat there boarded up and causing all kinds of concerns
in the neighbourhood," he told members of the police services board on Monday.

"There are some due processes that need to be done, but I think
having said that, I like the idea because hopefully it becomes a
little more costly for those who have breached the law."

Mr. Whitehead made the remarks after Deputy Chief Ken Leendertse
reported on the recent success in busting a massive grow operation at
three east end apartment buildings.

Police seized nearly 12,000 plants from 49 units after initially
targeting six units at 11 Grandville Ave.

Upon entering the six units, officers noticed they had been outfitted
with electronic monitoring equipment.

Afterward, Deputy Chief Leendertse said it's the first time police
have encountered video cameras at a grow operation.

"Certainly it points to organized crime. That investigation is
ongoing," he said. "It shows a sophistication. We're taking hundreds
of thousands of dollars of equipment."

Deputy Chief Leendertse said he's pleased to hear Mr. Whitehead
pushing for demolition of grow-op homes, an approach also taken in B.C.

He called such homes a property-standards, fire and health-risk concern.

"I would support knocking down homes," Deputy Chief Leendertse said.

"Not only do you put the owners at risk, but I think it's important
to send the message out that grow-ops are not a victimless crime
because someone can buy one of these premises and then their children
are exposed to mould and will be living with the health risks."