This advice was quoted by Nicole Precel of the Dandenong Leader, from the Neighbourhood Watch newsletter. According to the newsletter, a crop house often has structural changes made so that the crop can be grown indoors under lights. These changes include the installation of extra vents and the fitting of bars to the windows. If the structural work is done at odd hours or in a furtive manner, there could be cause for suspicion.
Another sign of illegal horticultural activity is an abundance of fertiliser, pots and potting mix in the yard, but no gardening taking place outside. If the lawn is not mowed, and rubbish removal and property maintenance not done regularly, this could mean the residents are not using the house as a conventional home.
Sergeant Terry Lloyd is encouraging local residents to take note of any suspicious activities. He commented:
"People who are local have more of an idea of patterns than us just driving past."
The Greater Dandenong Neighbourhood Watch undertakes flyer printing twice a month to get their newsletter into the community. The newsletter can be obtained from churches, businesses and shops throughout the area. They can also be collected from Springvale and Dandenong police stations and Springvale Council offices.