A message from the EPS: Do you suspect a drug house in your neighbourhood?

Do you suspect a drug house in your neighbourhood? (July 5th, 2011)

Drug distribution house indicators:

Heavy traffic, especially at nights and weekends
Short term foot traffic
Short term vehicle traffic
Surveillance cameras mounted to view the streets
Occupants don’t work or don’t seem to have a normal lifestyle

Meth lab indicators:

Strong chemical odours in the area, often described as smelling like cat urine, ammonia or nail polish remover.
Chemical containers and waste
Propane tanks
Discarded over the counter cold medicines
Anti-freeze containers
Drain cleaner bottles
Peeled lithium batteries
Car starter fluid containers
Blacked out windows
Fortifications on house
People always smoking cigarettes outside
Garages or sheds
Heavy foot and vehicle traffic
Cameras mounted on house

Grow operation indicators:

Rarely does anyone appear to be at home.
Visitors come and go at odd hours, entering/leaving the home quickly often through the garage and only for brief periods of time.
They avoid contact with neighbours.
Windows are kept closed and covered to conceal activities inside.
Condensation may be present on window panes.
Equipment used in the growing operation such as large fans, lights, plastic plant containers or bags of potting soil are carried into the home.
Sounds of construction or electrical humming from equipment may be heard.
Strange odours are coming from the house. Marihuana plants produce a unique skunk-like odour that you may occasionally smell, usually at dusk and dawn.
Exterior appearance of the property is untidy. There is little outside maintenance done (unshovelled snow, uncut grass, etc.), and garbage bags containing used soil and plant material may be discarded in areas surrounding the house or loaded into a vehicle for disposal. Mail delivered to the house may not be collected regularly resulting in an overflowing mailbox.
Warning signs are posted in windows or around the outside of the building. These may warn people to “Beware of Dog” or that “Guard Dogs” are on the property.

If you suspect a drug house in you neighbourhood, provide any info to Sgt. Ken Mah or call 780-426-8090.
The info can include the address, the above indicators, suspect descriptions, and vehicle make/model/license plate.