MISSION GROW-OP LAW NEEDS AN OVERHAUL

Not that we'd wish the expense on taxpayers, but here's hoping some
smart lawyer wins a massive class-action lawsuit against the District
of Mission over its out of control Public Safety Inspection Team program.

The initiative, established in 2008 to combat grow-ops, has
deteriorated into an appalling abuse of power by district officials
and an attack on private property rights. In their zeal to go after
pot growers, officials with the program (and similar ones in
neighbouring communities) are tossing a net so far and wide that
innocent people who are legitimately using higher levels of
electricity are being caught up with embarrassing searches.

When no pot is found but where circumstantial, possibly innocent
findings such as high mould levels or bad wiring are discovered,
Mission slaps homeowners with excessive $5,200 "fees" and ignores
people's pleas of innocence. Seventy-three times in 2010 residents
appealed but not one was allowed. It's also troubling that Mission
has never taken anyone to court, where its evidence would be tested,
to seek higher fines allowed under B.C. law.

Fighting grow-ops is a reasonable public policy. But no law that can
so easily "convict" the innocent should stand. Mission, which hasn't
responded to complaints, may have to learn this the hard, expensive
way from a B.C. Supreme Court justice.