Police Beat: Capt. Paul Chignell

During the past six months, we have seen a number of major marijuana growing operations in the Sunset District. In fact, we have uncovered 16 such operations in single-family residences. Usually the premises are rented by young people and the operations are conducted without the knowledge of the landlords.

Obviously, the cultivation of marijuana is illegal except for a limited number of plants under the medical marijuana standards that are currently in place in San Francisco. The operations that we have uncovered through investigations and court ordered search warrants are well beyond the circumstances of caregivers. In reality, they are large money-making enterprises, often for street-level sales of marijuana.

The major concern for the San Francisco Police and Fire departments is public safety. Many of the marijuana growing operations present a unique fire hazard due to its amateur construction activities and electronic gear that is configured in the rental houses.

Typically, the electrical service is bypassed to avoid paying for the massive amount of electricity that is needed to maintain the operation. In some instances, the bypassing of electrical meters has resulted in fires, an obvious hazard to the occupants and neighbors.

Most of the marijuana "grows" have been reported by neighbors after they smelled the aroma of marijuana, heard generators and fans going all hours of the day and night, and the blight of marijuana growers who attract drug traffickers and customers.

Please contact the Police Department if you believe there is a narcotics operation in your neighborhood. We will conduct an investigation to ascertain if any illegal activity is occurring.

Capt. Paul Chignell is the commanding officer at the Taraval Police Station.