What is Weed & Seed?

• "Weed" out drug trafficking, gangs, violent crimes and related offenses through coordinated law enforcement and community policing; and
• "Seed" the designated areas with prevention, intervention and treatment programs and neighborhood restoration programs designed to meet the communities' needs.

The Central City (Grand Rapids) Weed & Seed site, currently under the direction of Kristine Jaros, was officially recognized in June 2004 and covers areas within the Baxter, Eastown, South East End, Madison Area and East Hills neighborhoods. Specific “weeding” goals for the Central City operation include reducing juvenile crime, narcotics-related crime, aggravated assaults and gun-related crime. “Seeding” goals include increasing job readiness training and affordable housing for potential homeowners. The Central City site is currently operating in its 4th fiscal year.  The Criminal Justice Department at Grand Valley State University serves as the fiscal agent. The Steering Committee consists of 13 voting members representing both “weeding” and “seeding” agencies from the targeted community as well as neighborhood representatives.

Each Weed & Seed site throughout the United States focuses on four strategic areas:  Law Enforcement; Community Policing; Prevention, Intervention and Treatment; Neighborhood Restoration.  The goals and objectives within each strategic area were identified by the community.

Strategy #1: Law Enforcement

Law enforcement goals include reducing the incidence of juvenile crime, reducing the number of narcotics related crimes and reducing the number of gun violence crimes as well as other forms of aggravated assaults.

Strategy #2: Community Oriented Policing

Goals related to community oriented policing include community police officers and crime prevention organizers working together to identify and solve problems.

Strategy #3: Prevention, Intervention and Treatment

Prevention, intervention and treatment goals include maintaining a Safe Haven site within the Weed & Seed designated areas, which will also be used to host crime prevention events and programs aimed at youth to reduce the incidence of youth violence.

Strategy #4: Neighborhood Restoration

Goals related to neighborhood restoration includes expanding job readiness programs within the neighborhood, matching unemployed residents with training programs that meet local workforce needs and partnering with organizations to create decent, safe, affordable housing to attract homeowners.

Special Emphasis: Anti-Gang Crime Initiative

In addition to the four strategies listed above, the Central City Weed & Seed site has developed a special emphasis strategy focusing on gang crime.  The goal of the anti-gang crime initiative is to reduce the number of gangs and gang related activity occurring in the designated area.