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As quoted by former Attorney General Janet Reno, "The Weed and Seed strategy is one of those good ideas that began as an interagency pilot program in a few cities and is now firmly established. The Office of Justice Programs provided initial funding. Weed and Seed has the comprehensive objective of weeding out crime from designated neighborhoods, moving in with a wide range of crime and drug prevention programs, and then seeding these neighborhoods with a comprehensive range of human service programs that stimulate revitalization. One reason why this strategy enjoys wide support is that Weed and Seed demonstrates a number of Federal agencies that can work together effectively."
The Weed and Seed Strategy consists of four elements: 1) Law Enforcement 2) Community Policing 3) Prevention, Intervention and Treatment, and 4) Neighborhood Restoration.
Law enforcement activities constitute the "Weed" portion. Revitalization, which includes prevention, intervention, and treatment services, and then neighborhood restoration, constitutes the "Seed" element. Community policing is the "bridge" that links the Weed and Seed elements.
What makes the Weed and Seed Initiative so unique and effective is that it links and integrates 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 the paramount importance of community involvement. Community residents are empowered to assist in solving the problems in their own neighborhood. In addition, the private sector is involved as a pivotal partner in the Weed and Seed Strategy.
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