Operation Weed & Seed
[Return to DEFY Camp 99] [DDR Program]
(This information was prepared by the Executive Office for Weed and Seed (EOWS)
Office of Justice Programs, at the U.S. Department of Justice)
As of June 1999 there are over 180 cities nationwide
participating in Operation
Weed & Seed. Three of these cities are in Washington. Follow the links
below
to learn more about the history of these and related programs.
Seattle Southeast Seattle Tacoma (also see their new website)
Operation Weed and Seed is a multi-agency strategy that "weeds out" violent crime, gang activity, drug use, and drug trafficking in targeted neighborhoods and then "seeds" the target area by restoring these neighborhoods through social and economic revitalization. The Weed and Seed strategy recognizes the importance of linking and integrating federal, state, and local law enforcement and criminal justice efforts with federal, state, and local social services, and private sector and community efforts to maximize the impact of existing programs and resources. It also recognizes the paramount importance of community involvement. Community residents must be empowered to assist in solving problems in their neighborhoods. In addition, the private sector is involved as a pivotal partner in the Weed and Seed strategy.
The Executive Office for Weed and Seed (EOWS), Office of Justice Programs, at the U.S. Department of Justice oversees the Weed and Seed program. The EOWS is responsible for overall program policy, coordination, development, and budgeting. Additionally, the EOWS enhances law enforcement and prosecution coordination among Federal, state, and local agencies; processes Weed and Seed property forfeitures to convert problem properties to community uses; coordinates asset forfeiture fund reimbursement of state and local law enforcement; awards Official Recognition to unfunded sites; exchanges a newsletter, In-Sites; and coordinates with other cooperating programs or agencies such as AmeriCorps, the President's National Service Initiative; Empowerment Zones/Enterprise Communities; and the Interagency Working Group on Weed and Seed. EOWS reviews applications for grant funding, processes awards, monitors grant performance, and provides training and technical assistance. The National Institute of Justice develops national process and impact evaluations for this and other programs.
The comprehensive approach of Weed and Seed dictates a multi-level action plan. There are four basic elements in this plan: law enforcement; community policing; prevention, intervention, and treatment; and neighborhood restoration.
Law Enforcement:
No social program or community activity can survive in an atmosphere poisoned by violent crime and drug abuse. Law enforcement must "weed out" the most violent of offenders by coordinating and integrating the efforts of Federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies in targeted high-crime neighborhoods. The law enforcement element consists primarily of suppression activities. These activities include enforcement, adjudication, prosecution, and supervision efforts designed to target, apprehend, and incapacitate violent street criminals who terrorize neighborhoods and account for a disproportionate percentage of criminal activity. One example of an effective law enforcement strategy is Operation Triggerlock, a Department of Justice initiative that targets violent offenders for prosecution in Federal court to take advantage of tough Federal firearms laws.
Some of the suppression activities will focus on special enforcement operations such as repeat or violent offender removal programs, intensified narcotics investigations, targeted prosecutions, victim-witness protection, and elimination of narcotics trafficking organizations operating in these areas.
Community Policing:
Community policing serves as the bridge between the "weeding" and "seeding" components. The community policing element operates in support of intensive law enforcement suppression and containment activities and provides a bridge to the prevention, intervention, and treatment component, as well as the neighborhood reclamation and restoration components. Local police departments should implement community policing strategies in each of the targeted sites. Under community policing, law enforcement works closely with community residents to develop solutions to violent and drug-related crime. In addition, community policing should help foster a sense of responsibility within the community and serve as the stimulus for community mobilization.
Community policing activities will focus on increasing police visibility and developing cooperative relationships between the police and citizenry in the target areas. Techniques such as foot patrols, problem solving, victim referrals to support services, and community relations activities will increase positive interaction between the police and the community. Special emphasis should be placed on addressing the needs of crime victims and minority communities that are disproportionately victimized by crime.
The objective is to raise the level of citizen and community involvement in crime prevention and intervention activities to solve drug-related problems in neighborhoods to enhance the level of community security. Community policing might include mini-stations, foot patrols, and nuisance abatement.
Community mobilization is also important to community policing in crime prevention. Programs that encourage community participation and help prevent crime include neighborhood watches, citizen marches and rallies, prayer services, drug-free zones, and graffiti removal.
Prevention, Intervention, and Treatment:
The prevention, intervention, and treatment element should begin with the near completion of the intensive "Weed" activities. However, depending on the needs, interests, and most importantly, the safety of the targeted neighborhood, this aspect of the strategy could be initiated concurrently with the weeding effort. This element should help prevent crime and violence from recurring in target neighborhoods. The coordinated efforts of law enforcement and social service agencies, the private sector, and the community will help prevent crime from recurring. This can be accomplished by concentrating a broad array of human services on the target areas to create an environment where crime cannot thrive.
Prevention, intervention, and treatment should include youth services, school programs, community and social programs, and support groups designed to develop positive community attitudes toward combating narcotics use and trafficking. The Safe Haven, for example, is a mechanism to organize and deliver an array of youth- and adult-oriented human services in a multi-service center setting such as a school.
Neighborhood Restoration:
Neighborhood restoration can be achieved only through the coordinated use of Federal, state, and local and private sector resources. This element of Weed and Seed is designed to revitalize distressed neighborhoods and improve the quality of life in the target communities. The neighborhood restoration element will focus on economic development activities designed to strengthen legitimate community institutions. Resources should be dedicated to economic development, provision of economic opportunities for residents, improved housing conditions, enhanced social services, and improved public services in the target area.
Programs will be developed to improve living conditions: enhance home security; allow for low-cost physical improvements; develop long-term efforts to renovate and maintain housing; and to provide educational, economic, social, recreational, and other vital opportunities. A key feature of this element will be the fostering of self-worth and individual responsibility among community members.
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