Growbusters Program
Growbusters was formed in 1999 in response to the growing number of marijuana grow operations that were springing up in Vancouver and in the Lower Mainland. Police would lay charges when they could but it was a long procedure and convictions were few and far between.
As a result, a team of patrol officers in the south-east section of the city decided to try a different approach. Working with the Collingwood Community Policing Centre they began to work in partnership with the city inspectors, fire department and B.C. Hydro in trying various ways to close the houses down. The subsequent partnerships are what now make up the Growbusters team.
Typically a team of officers acting on tips will check out the houses early in the morning. Search warrants are then obtained and a fire inspector, B.C. Hydro employee, police officers and City Electrical Inspectors will arrive at the house. If the conditions warrant, the people found inside are arrested. Strict precautionary measures are then set into place to ensure the house is deemed to be safe. The house is then boarded up and the power to house is shut off.
To increase awareness in the community, the Collingwood Community Policing Centre gives workshops and tours of grow operations to real estate agents and public service providers to teach them how to recognize and effectively deal with grow operations in the Vancouver area.
If you believe that someone in your neighbourhood has a grow operation call 604- 717-3456. Please note that all calls are anonymous. For further information on this program, please call the centre at (604) 717-2935 or reach us by email at crimprev@telus.net.
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