Flashlight at centre of investigation

By Monique Tamminga - Langley Times - May 09, 2008

NewS.47.20080508143420.Wade_Dougbwmug_20080509.jpg

Doug Wade

A flashlight, not drugs, are at the centre of the allegations of theft against a Township fire inspector involved with the grow-op busting Public Safety Inspection Team.

“There is a misconception out there that the investigation involves a team member removing drugs from the scene,” said Township fire chief Doug Wade.

“What was removed was two small batteries and a small halogen work light.”

To that, Mayor Kurt Alberts said the light was taken from an abandoned grow op and later returned.

“The police are reviewing whether or not the utilization of a small flashlight constitutes a full criminal investigation,” he said.

On Tuesday, Langley RCMP confirmed that they received a complaint from a municipal employee who is a member of that team. That complaint prompted them to look into the incident and led Wade to disband the program.

A decision whether the firefighter’s actions are criminal will be decided soon, Wade has been told by police

“That member has been re-assigned duties and a full audit of the program is underway looking at best practices,” said Wade.

These inspection teams first started in Surrey when the provincial Safety Standards Act gave new powers to municipalities. The Act gives city officials the right to shut down homes suspected of having meth labs and grow ops.

The teams don’t have to get a judge-approved search warrant like police do. Instead, if a home is to be found using excessive hydro, the team will go there and give a home owner 24 hours before they return for a full inspection.

The inspection cost is $5,000 plus permit costs needed if the water and electricity is shut down and/or work needs to be done on the house to get it back up to code.

A re-inspection is an additional $5,000.

“It’s been a positive experience, however looking at the challenges of other municipalities the [fire] chief is wise to put everything on hold,” said Alberts.

“It’s quite appropriate to review it to make sure all the actions of the team are appropriate and well thought out.”

Email | Print | Letter to Editor | Share on Facebook

Flashlight at centre of investigation

Most read in your Region

Most read across BC