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 300 sites officially
recognized with close to 300 sites 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 "Officially
Recognized" by the Department of Justice as Weed and Seed sites.
They are: Raleigh (Southeastern),
Lumberton, Henderson and Jacksonville. 
The Weed & Seed Program is a strategy that can be implemented without any additional federal funding. However, sites may receive up to $200,000 per year for five years 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.