Program Goals
Weed and Seed was an initiative of the U.S. Department of Justice. It was a community-based approach to reducing and preventing crime while revitalizing the community.
Program Components/Key Personnel
Weed and Seed was designed to prevent, control, and reduce violent drug and gang activity in high-crime areas by having law enforcement and prosecutors work to “weed” out criminals. Community revitalization was encouraged by “seeding” human services that focused on prevention, intervention, and neighborhood development. Neighborhood revitalization efforts generally focused on economic development, employment opportunities for residents, and the physical environment of the neighborhood.
The multilevel approach encouraged by Weed and Seed depended on the participation of law enforcement, the use of community policing, the introduction of prevention and treatment interventions, and neighborhood revitalization efforts. The local U.S. Attorney’s Office played a key role, providing leadership to guide multiagency efforts and mobilize key stakeholders. Many sites developed joint task forces to help coordinate law enforcement agencies from all levels of government. Community policing efforts focused on engaging the community and used a problem-solving approach to tackle identified problems. Every site was required to have a Safe Haven, a multiservice center that provided both youth- and adult-oriented services. These were often housed in a school or a community center.
Target Site/Eligibility
Proposals to become official Weed and Seed sites were submitted to the Community Capacity Development Office, which oversaw and administered the program for the U.S. Department of Justice. The proposals were required to demonstrate local development efforts and a significant commitment on the part of the community. Sites that received approval were eligible for Weed and Seed funds and for preferred funding from federal agencies.
Additional Information
There were more than 250 Weed and Seed sites across the country, which varied dramatically in size (covering populations ranging from 3,000 to 50,000). However, new sites were not chosen for the 2009–2010 fiscal year, and by 2011, most of the existing sites were closing. Weed and Seed in the Southern District of Florida was first funded beginning in 1997. It started in the Liberty City neighborhood of Miami, Fla., and began with a gang crackdown to shut down a violent narcotics distribution organization terrorizing that neighborhood. This crackdown resulted in the conviction of 38 gang members from two gangs. Many of the early activities of the Weed and Seed initiative focused on hot spots found in the Scott/Carver housing development and the dividing line between the city and county jurisdictions.
The Miami/Miami–Dade Weed and Seed community-based organization also managed a local Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which was a gun reduction partnership, and the Operation Save our Streets (or SOS) program, which focused on crime prevention through social development. “Seeding” activities included job fairs; school-based, drug use prevention programs; lead awareness campaigns; and neighborhood beautification projects.
Note: Dedicated federal funds for the Weed and Seed program was discontinued in fiscal year 2011 (FY11). Due to this funding situation, the Community Capacity Development Office (CCDO) closed at the end of FY11 and no new funding was awarded. However, CCDO provided programmatic management and oversight to existing grantees through the end of their grant awards.
