DRUG LAB CRACK DOWN

Langford passes bylaw holding property owners responsible for clean-up

The City of Langford has joined a growing list of B.C. municipalities
holding homeowners responsible for the cost of dealing with grow-ops
and clandestine labs on their properties.

Langford council unanimously adopted a bylaw Monday that puts
landlords on the hook for the cost of dismantling, cleaning up and
disposing of hazardous materials associated with marijuana grow
operations and labs producing illegal substances like crystal meth.

The bylaw has been in the works since the beginning of 2006, after
the Union of British Columbia Municipalities presented a model bylaw
at its annual convention, said Coun. Lillian Szpak, chair of
Langford's protective services committee.

"This is all about public health and safety," Szpak said, pointing
out the perils of the toxic materials that go into the production of
crystal meth, and the health and electrical hazards unsuspecting
tenants may face if a home they rent has been used as a lab or a grow-op.

Szpak said although consultations with West Shore RCMP at that time
showed there were no meth labs on the West Shore, the problem could
surface as meth use continues to increase.

"Council decided to take a pro-active approach before that occurs," Szpak said.

The bylaw makes landlords responsible the cost of the work the RCMP,
emergency services and building inspectors in dismantling clandestine
labs or grow-ops and disposing of hazardous materials, as well as the
cost of cleaning up after that work has been done, Szpak said.

"If the owner doesn't take responsibility, the municipality will step
in to do the work and bill the landlord," Szpak said.

The bylaw is tied to the community charter through the public health
act and the building code to protect the health and safety of
residents, she added.

The cost to owners could be substantial -the cost of a fire truck and
crew of six weighs in at $600 an hour, an RCMP officer or drug
disposal officer costs $52 an hour, and the hourly cost for a
building inspector is $54.

Under the terms of Langford's bylaw, "any person who contravenes any
provisions of this bylaw commits an offence punishable upon summary
conviction and is liable to a fine not exceeding $10,000."

If an offence is ongoing, each day that the offence continues
constitutes a separate offence.

Langford Mayor Stew Young said he fully supports the work of staff
and council in drafting the bylaw.

Colwood and View Royal are also in the process of approving similar
nuisance-controlled substance bylaws.