DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE ANNOUNCES OVER $6.6 MILLION TO SUPPORT ANTI-CRIME COMMUNITY EFFORTS

38 new communities receive Weed and Seed funding

        WASHINGTON - Regina B. Schofield, Assistant Attorney General for the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) announced today grant awards to 38 newly designated Weed and Seed sites nationwide totaling more than $6.6 million to fight crime and restore community infrastructure. The funding is administered by the Community Capacity Development Office (CCDO), a component of OJP.

        "This funding helps rebuild and restructure communities that have suffered because of criminal activity and social decay," Schofield said. "These strategies encourage residents to work with law enforcement agencies to deter crime, identify resources, and restore community cohesiveness."

        Weed and Seed is a strategy designed to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods and bring in services that promote crime prevention and neighborhood revitalization. These new sites are eligible to receive up to five years of additional support.

        The partnerships formed in Weed and Seed strategies include organizing and forming alliances with local businesses, faith based organizations and other local or state organizations to identify and resolve specific criminal activity and replace it with other activities that include restoring buildings, providing youth activities, and establishing new economic opportunities.

        Today's announcement of initial grants of $175,000 includes 38 sites in 20 states and the District of Columbia. These states include Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.

        The plans and strategies for these sites include coordinating with federal, state, county and local prosecutors to reduce drug-related crimes, gang violence, and property crimes; fostering joint responsibility and action between police and community residents; and improving the network between city agencies and community groups. A complete listing of the sites is attached.

        CCDO supports local sites through its four-pronged Weed and Seed strategy, which include law enforcement; community policing; prevention, intervention and treatment for residents; and neighborhood restoration. There are currently more than 319 active Weed and Seed communities throughout the country.

        The Office of Justice Programs provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice and assist victims. OJP has five component bureaus: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; and the Office for Victims of Crime. Additionally, OJP has two program offices: the Community Capacity Development Office, which incorporates the Weed and Seed strategy, and the Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering and Tracking (SMART) Office. More information can be found at https://ojp.gov.

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