Supervisor Carmen Chu has called for a hearing on the increase of illegal marijuana growing operations in San Francisco, and the safety issues created by these operations. The hearing will take place Monday, October 5th at 10:00AM at the Public Safety Committee of the Board of Supervisors.

According to Captain Paul Chignell of the Taraval Station, there have been 36 illegal marijuana growing operations discovered in the District in 2009. Supervisor Carmen Chu represents the Sunset District which comprises much of the Taraval Station’s area and where many of these “grow houses” have operated.

“These operations create serious fire hazards, which could be disastrous for the Sunset where homes are so close together,” said Supervisor Chu.

At a press conference last week, SFPD Chief George Gascon presented the more than 20 firearms that have been confiscated at these recent raids, where large amounts of cash and other narcotics have also been discovered.

Supervisor Chu has requested presentations from the San Francisco Police Department, Assistant Deputy Chief and Fire Marshal Barbara Shultheis, and Sharon Woo from the District Attorney’s Office.

“This hearing is not about marijuana itself,” said Supervisor Chu, “but about the risk to public safety these illegal grow houses present.”