|
Weed and Seed
Weed and Seed is a Department of Justice community-based program whose goal is to prevent, control and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods throughout the country. Weed and Seed strategy follows a two-pronged approach: local law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in "weeding" out criminals who engage in violent crimes and drug abuse, and "seeding" brings to the area human services encompassing prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood revitalization. A community-oriented policing component bridges weeding and seeding strategies: officers obtain cooperation and information from area residents while they assist residents in obtaining information about community revitalization and resources.
Within this District there are six designated Weed and Seed sites: Salinas, Oakland, San Francisco, Contra Costa County, and two in San Jose. Each of the six sites has unique characteristics which create special challenges. At each site, the U.S. Attorney's Office plays a central role in organizing a steering committee and in bringing together the participants on both the "weeding" and "seeding" sides of the program. We promote the idea that, in this context, the U.S. Attorney's Office is a neutral third party that tries to bring participants to the table in a nonthreatening forum to address crime reduction strategies.
|
|