LEARN THE SIGNS OF A GROW OP

The new Hope Crime Prevention Society of Hope, the umbrella organization to
the Hope Citizens on Patrol, is hoping to offer the community a number of
new services in the coming months, including seminars on safety and crime
prevention for everyone from youths to seniors.

The organization, which recently opened a temporary office at the post
office, is run by volunteers, and hopes to be an information source for
people seeking to stamp out crime by being proactive, says vice chair of
the society, Cory Lawton.

Although the society is in the initial stages of building its information
resources on crime prevention, with the number of grow ops being raided by
police over the last few weeks, the society is sharing a few telltale signs
that you have a grow operator for a neighbour.

Although grow operations can make quiet neighbours, with the amount of
power that is pushed through a home's electrical system there is a
tremendous threat of fire. And although landlords find that grow operators
always pay their rent, they are left with massive repair bills when rental
homes are altered and permeated by moisture from a marijuana farm. But grow
operations can also attract crime to a neighbourhood, as they as well are
often the target of thieves happy to rip off a fully grown crop.

Remember illegal activity is the responsibility of police, the public
should never put themselves into a dangerous situation while trying to
collect information about any criminal activity, but tips on how to spot a
grow house include:

* Windows covered in black plastic, or heavy curtains or blinds pressed
against the glass.

The heavy window coverings are needed to prevent light from escaping or
outside light from interrupting the artificial light cycles, grow operators
set for optimum growth.

* The humidity inside a grow room is at 65 percent with temperatures
between 80 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, so watch for heavy condensation on
windows.

* Use your nose for the distinctive smell of fresh marijuana can best be
described as a smell of rotting cabbage, or a skunk like odour mixed with a
sweet vegetative smell.

* Listen for the sound of electrical humming similar to a transformer on a
hydro pole, or listen for fans and trickling water.

* High intensity 1000 watt bulbs are normally used in a grow op and
sometimes not completely disguised, as well equipment may be laying around
a yard, such at nutrient containers, wiring, or plant pots.

* Beware of Dog signs or real guard dogs may be used to protect the grow
operation, and not only from detection, but theft.

* Landlords take notice of tenants insisting on paying rent in cash, and
while having no known source of income, they drive expensive cars, and
carry cell phones, and pagers.

* Finally watch for activity around the home or lack of it. When compared
to an average home, a grow house may have no visitors at all, to frequent
visitors for a short time periods of time; visitors who often leave one
person waiting in the car.