POLICE TARGET GROW-OPS

B.C. bud continues to be a problem in Richmond, but police, fire and city
officials are banking on a new initiative to put the chop on marijuana grow
ops.

A dedicated five-member Richmond RCMP unit that will focus on eradicating
grow ops was established two weeks ago and has already made an impact.

The unit is part of a five-pronged approach dubbed Operation Green Clean.

"They're not going to want to come to Richmond," Richmond RCMP Const. Peter
Thiessen said Thursday.

Thiessen said there are five pillars to the strategy that officials hope
will cut down on the proliferation of the highly profitable industry:
education, prevention, protection, partnership and enforcement.

There were fewer than 100 marijuana grow operations reported to police in
1999, but that number skyrocketed to about 300 last year. And so far,
through September 2001, the city is on pace to eclipse the 400 marker.

While former Richmond mayor Greg Halsey-Brandt established a task force
last year to combat the problem, Richmond Coun. Bill McNulty said Operation
Green Clean will take the next step.

"We want to cut off the illegal marijuana growing operation at its roots,"
McNulty said during a press conference.

A great deal of the focus of the program will require the community's
involvement to be a success.

The city is hoping homeowners and property managers will register -at no
cost-their rental properties with the city-run program.