As summer comes to a close and people start staying close to home, Red Deer RCMP hope citizens will keep an eye open and report suspicious activity in their neighbourhoods that could point to a marijuana grow-operation.
“Police are at the mercy of the citizens when it comes to this. They know their neighbourhood and they know what’s unusual. We need them to help us out to find them,” said RCMP Cpl. Kathe DeHeer on Monday.
“We are getting fewer calls from the public. Maybe people are getting complacent about it or they’re just not recognizing the signs and things to look out for.”
In 2007, Red Deer RCMP busted seven substantial marijuana grow-operations after requesting tips from residents.
Since last fall, RCMP have investigated four operations.
Late last year, two operations, with 317 and 598 plants, were found in Clearview Meadows. In March 2011, 82 plants were found in a home on 51st Avenue near the hospital, and in June a grow-op with 97 plants was investigated near Burnt Lake Trail west of Red Deer.
DeHeer said the signs of a grow-op can be easier to spot in the winter — for example a house with a lot of window condensation, and a “skunky,” unusual odor at the time of year when skunks rarely roam.
Suspect homes usually have extra vents and someone regularly stops by for a few minutes.
“You have things like the blinds and curtains are closed all the time. You very rarely see anyone out or activity around the house. You don’t notice garbage on the curb or in the backyard from the house.
“Those are all things, when put together, seem a little unusual and we certainly welcome phone calls.”
DeHeer said residents get frustrated when police don’t bust down a door the next day, but it takes time to build a case to get a search warrant.
“Don’t give up on us. Once we receive information about suspected drug houses, we do investigate them.”
DeHeer said marijuana operations are a danger to neighbours. In 2007, a small electrical fire broke out at a grow-op in a home on Gish Street.
“What happens in a lot of them is they reroute power. You have people who are not electricians messing with the power to the house, and out to the pole sometimes. That puts a lot of people at risk.”
DeHeer said marijuana grow-operations are a problem for all communities.
“They are certainly growing (marijuana) here in Red Deer and in Central Alberta. Some of them get fairly sophisticated as to the steps they go to cover it up.
“We have to stand up and work on crime together.”
Residents with tips or concerns can call Red Deer RCMP at 403-406-2300, anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS), or online at www.tipsubmit.com.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com
— copyright Red Deer Advocate