CRIME RINGS MOVE NORTH

According to Orangeville Police Chief Rod Freeman organized crime is making
its way into the Orangeville area.

"Organized crime is creeping into our community," he said.

After uncovering more than two "marijuana grow houses," in 2003 and six
over the past year, Chief Freeman feels these operations are the work of
criminal organizations.

According to Crime Stoppers, a marijuana grow house is a home that has been
modified to grow large amounts of marijuana. These may include significant
structural and lighting changes in order to supply light, water and
ventilation to the plants.

"Over the past year we have been able to locate and dismantle about six of
them," he said. "These grow houses are organized crime, no question about
it," he said.

Staff Sgt. Wally Koloziechuk of Dufferin OPP, said his detachment has
uncovered about six grow houses this year.

He said those houses are operated primarily by Asian organizations.

"It is organized crime, " he said. "Asian organized is what it is."

Chief Freeman said organized crime entering the community is something the
residents should be concerned about.

"That is something we as a community should be shocked about, and guard
very vigilantly the safety and security of our community."

Chief Freeman feels there are more grow houses in the area.

"I am not naive to think we have got them all in our community."

At a recent conference of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police,
Chief Freeman said York Region estimated they had one grow house per every
100 homes. The Chief added that with vigilance they were able reduce the
number to one in every 500 homes.

"If you took that same scale or ratio and applied it to our community,
potentially we could have 15 to 18 grow houses in our community."

Orangeville Police seized 799 marijuana plants valued at about $850,000
from a Marshall Crescent residence in Orangeville on June 6.

"An average grow home of about 400 marijuana plants has the opportunity for
an income of about $1.6 million in a year," said Chief Freeman. "And that
is all tax-free money that is going into criminal activity."

Chief Freeman said the grow houses poses many dangers to the community.

"In the meantime they are stealing tens of thousands of dollars in hydro,
which victimizes all of us as a community."

"The presence of these grow houses in our community and our residential
areas brings down the real estate values," he said. "And the existence of a
grow operation in a house creates a number of health and safety concerns."

He said once organized crime enters a community, other criminal activity is
not that far behind.

"With organized crime and with drugs does come violence, and spin-off
crimes - break and enters, assaults, robberies that type of stuff."

Sgt. Koloziechuk says with the number of florescent lights these homes are
equipped with, they are prone to fire.

"It also poses threats to emergency services because some of these places
can catch fire," he said.

However, Shelburne Police Chief Wayne Squirrell said his department does
not have a problem with marijuana growing operations in Shelburne.

"We don't have any right here in the town,"

He added that the drugs are most likely being shipped to Toronto and United
States, and are not reaching the streets of the community.

"They are not ending up on our local streets.

Chief Freeman said it is important for residents to report any suspicious
activity to the police.

"We need everybody in town, all homeowners to be aware of what is going on
in their neighbourhood."

He said organized crime has no place in Orangeville.

"We want this out of our town," he said. "We can't afford to let our
community deteriorate to the point where organized crime sees our community
as a comfortable place to be."

Crime Stoppers said these are tips on how residents can identify a possibly
marijuana grow house.

* Residents only attend the home occasionally and for short periods of time.

* Equipment such as large fans, lights, plastic plant containers and soil
are carried in at odd hours.

* The exterior appearance of the property is untidy.

* Entry is often made into the home through the garage to conceal activities.

* Garbage bags containing used soil and plant material are discarded in
surrounding areas.

* Windows are covered to prevent light from entering the home and to
conceal activities.

* Bright light can be seen escaping from windows and windows are often
covered with condensation.

* Hydro metres are tampered with.

* Sounds of construction and ventilation fans may be heard.

* Marijuana produces a strong skunk-like odour and can often be detected
outside the home.