Weed and Seed and is a community-based strategy that aims to reduce crime in at-risk areas that are targeted in a specific geographical location.  The "weeding" aspect works in cooperation with local law enforcement and U.S. Attorney's Office in order to "weed" out habitual criminals and put into place strategic initiatives to deal with crime issues in the community.  The "seeding" aspect pertains to human services activities including intervention, prevention, and treatment.  Neighborhood revitalization is also another important "seeding" goal.  The current Weed and Seed territory in Charlotte is located along Central Avenue in East Charlotte.

 

Visit http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ccdo/ws/welcome.html for more information on the national program.

 

Weeding
Community policing strategies and goals are established at each Weed and Seed site.  Some of the goals established by Weed and Seed in cooperation with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department include:

 

1. Focusing enforcement, education, and prevention efforts with regard to minority victimization.
2. Expanding awareness of gang activity, domestic violence, and prevention of victimization through community outreach festivals and meetings.
3. Expanding successful youth strategies and incorporate parental involvement.

 

Seeding
"Seeding" activities include a variety of opportunities for increased quality of life for residents living along the Central Avenue Corridor.  There are currently two churches located on the Central Avenue Corridor designated as Safe Havens, which serve as multi-purpose community centers.  Seeding also aims to create partnerships to enhance the sustainability of programs along the corridor. Some of our partners include:

Special Emphasis
Each Weed and Seed site selects an area of special interest to target for efforts in the designated area.  The special interest topic for the Central Avenue Corridor Weed and Seed is truancy.  Currently, the Truancy Reduction Coordinator works with Eastway Middle School, Winterfield Elementary, and Reid Park Elementary to monitor an intervention-based program called Truancy Court.  Students with high numbers of absences and tardies are targeted to participate in the program along with their parents.