Weed & Seed | Raleigh | Lumberton | Fuquay-Varina
Weed and Seed Program
Operation Weed and Seed is a U.S. Department of Justice initiative which began in 1991 when 21 pilot sites across the nation were selected to implement the strategy. Currently there are approximately 250 Weed and Seed sites across the country receiving funding from the Department of Justice through the Weed and Seed program.
Operation Weed and Seed is a multi-agency strategy that "weeds out" violent crime, gang activity, drug use, and drug trafficking in targeted high crime neighborhoods and "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, the private sector and community efforts to maximize the impact of existing programs and resources. It also recognizes that community involvement is of paramount importance. Community residents must be empowered to assist in solving problems in their neighborhoods. In addition, the private sector is a pivotal partner in the Weed and Seed strategy.
Under the leadership of the United States Attorney, four communities in the Eastern District of North Carolina are currently active Weed and Seed sites. They are: Raleigh (Thompson-Hunter Community Partnership), North/West Lumberton, Henderson and Jacksonville. Additionally, there are two graduated Weed and Seed sites in the Eastern District of North Carolina. They are Fuquay-Varina and South/East Lumberton. Graduated sites are no longer receiving Weed and Seed funding, but are continuing to utilize the Weed & Seed strategy to improve their communities.
The Weed & Seed Program is a strategy that can be implemented without any additional federal funding. However, sites 
may receive a maximum of one million dollars over a five year funding cycle to implement various programs.
The steps taken to implement a Weed and Seed strategy are to:
(1) organize a Steering Committee;
(2) select a target neighborhood;
(3) conduct a needs assessment;
(4) mobilize resources;
(5) identify goals and objectives; and
(6) develop an implementation schedule.
It took these sites between 1-2 years to develop and implement the strategy and successfully complete the application process for Official Recognition.
For more information about the Weed and Seed program or any of the sites in the Eastern District of North Carolina you may contact the Law Enforcement Coordinator in the U.S. Attorney's Office, at (919) 856-4172 or EMAIL:
, or visit the website for the Community Capacity Development Office.