Programs and Initiatives
Weed and Seed
Operation Weed and Seed is a Department of Justice initiative that employs an innovative and comprehensive multi-agency approach to law enforcement, crime prevention, and community revitalization.
What is Weed and Seed?
Operation Weed and Seed is foremost a strategy--rather than a grant program-- which aims to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods across the country. Weed and Seed sites range in size from several neighborhood blocks to 15 square miles. The strategy involves a two-pronged approach: law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in "weeding out" criminals who participate in violent crime and drug abuse, attempting to prevent their return to the targeted area; and "seeding" brings human services to the area, encompassing prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood revitalization.
The primary element of the "weeding" strategy is law enforcement activities aimed at targeting, apprehending, and incapacitating violent street criminals. Community policing is the element of the strategy that serves as a bridge between the "weeding" (law enforcement) and "seeding" (neighborhood restoration) components. Under community policing, law enforcement works closely with community residents to develop solutions to violent and drug-related crime. This partnership in turn fosters a sense of responsibility within the community and serves as a stimulus for community mobilization. The "seeding" elements include prevention, intervention, and treatment which focuses on delivering an array of youth- and adult- oriented human services to develop positive community attitudes toward combating narcotics use and trafficking, as well as neighborhood restoration which focuses on economic development activities designed to strengthen legitimate institutions.
For More Information About the Initiative's Success Stories, Visit http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ccdo
What Is the Role of the United States Attorney?
At each site, the United States Attorney provides leadership to the community leaders coordinating the strategy; convenes a core group of community officials in a "working committee," then assists the local site in selecting and convening a Steering Committee; serves as Chair of the Steering Committee; and initiates the planning activities.
The Community Capacity Development Office
The Community Capacity Development Office (CCDO) operates within the Office of Justice Programs at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. Director, Nelson Hernandez, and his staff oversee a total of 280 Weed and Seed Sites throughout the United States. CCDO can be contacted at (202) 616-1152. Its website can be found at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ccdo
How to Apply for Funding
For information on how to apply for official recognition, visit http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ccdo/ws/official_recog.html