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ATTORNEY GENERAL ASHCROFT KEYNOTES NATIONAL

PHILADELPHIA, PA Attorney General John Ashcroft today addressed the National Conference of the Executive Office for Weed and Seed, celebrating a decade of crime reduction and neighborhood regrowth made possible by the coordinated efforts of law enforcement and communities across the country.

"By bringing together the necessary resources, this strategy fosters a safe environment for the members of the community and their children," said Ashcroft. "The Department of Justice is committed to building on the successes of Weed and Seed and continuing to move toward the goal of safety for every resident, in every neighborhood, in every community, in our country."

Under the leadership of local U.S. Attorneys, Weed and Seed communities receive grant funds to implement comprehensive strategies to "weed out" violent crime, drug dealers and gang activity. The funds are also used to "seed" the community through coordinated social services, economic revitalization and neighborhood restoration.

The four elements of the Weed and Seed strategy are:

• Law enforcement, which coordinates enforcement, adjudication and prosecution activities designed to apprehend violent street criminals;

• Community policing, which involves community residents in developing solutions to improve quality of life and reduce violent and drug related crime;

• Prevention, intervention, and treatment, which addresses support programs and

• Neighborhood restoration which revitalizes distressed neighborhoods through economic development, job opportunities, improved housing conditions and increased access to low-income housing.

Since its inception in 1991, under President George Bush, the Weed and Seed initiative has awarded over $237 million to nearly 300 communities for partnerships which support community mobilization to fight crime and promote public safety.

The Weed and Seed strategy began through grants to three pilot cities: Kansas City, Missouri; Omaha, Nebraska and Trenton, New Jersey. Grants are awarded by the Office of Justice Programs' Executive Office for Weed and Seed.