NEW POT LAWS MAKE FOR SAFER COMMUNITIES

Town Likes Being in the Know About Grow-Ops

WHITBY -- Local councillors are high on new legislation that requires
police to notify municipalities when a marijuana grow house is
discovered in their community.

"It allows us as a municipality to undertake a regular inspection of
such a residence within the framework of the new Municipal Act," said
Councillor Lorne Coe.

Previously, a home used to grow marijuana could be put back on the
market after an arrest, posing a serious fire safety hazard for
potential home buyers and the surrounding neighbourhood, members of
council argued.

"We've had about 10 operations in this Town over the years and it's
unbelievable what they can do," said Councillor Joe Drumm, pointing
to such things as unsafe electrical wiring.

Durham Regional Police has informed Whitby that in the event of such
a discovery, it will notify the clerk of the home municipality in
writing as laid out in the amendments made last year to the Municipal Act.

The Act also requires a municipality to inspect the home or building
and steps be taken to make the residence safe for the public.

Mayor Pat Perkins wondered if a registry of such homes should be
listed on the Town's website.

Information of that kind is included in the site's property file at
the Town, said Clerk Paul Jones.

"If (prospective home buyers) do their due diligence and research any
outstanding work orders on the property they'll see it," he explained.

Whitby plans to meet in the future with police and other neighbouring
municipalities to discuss the matter further, Mr. Jones said.

Councillor Gerry Emm thanked local residents who have unearthed
grow-ops in Whitby with their tips to police. One Town staffer found
evidence of a grow-op while picking up garbage from the home, he said.

"It's such a cunning way they go about getting electricity," Coun. Emm added.

One councillor thought the legislation should go further to demolish
unsafe grow-ops.

"Some of these homes are left sitting for years and it's not safe for
the neighbours," said Councillor Shirley Scott.