Weed & Seed Grant
In May 2000, Partners for a Productive Community and the Alachua County Sheriff's Office formed a partnership and applied for a U.S. Department of Justice Weed and Seed grant to further assist the communities of Sugarfoot/Linton Oaks and Cedar Ridge/Gordon Manor. The application was approved, and funding began in 2001.
The Weed and Seed Strategy is a comprehensive response to crime and neighborhood deterioration. It is a multi-level strategic plan that includes four basic components:
- Law enforcement
- Community policing
- Prevention, intervention and treatment
- Neighborhood restoration
It has a two-pronged approach to crime control and prevention:
- Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in "weeding out" criminals in the target area
- "Seeding" brings prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood revitalization services to the area.
The strategy is based on collaboration, coordination, community participation and the leveraging of resources. Weed and Seed sites maximize existing programs and resources by coordinating and integrating existing federal, state, local and private sector initiatives, criminal justice efforts and social services.
Each of the Weed and Seed neighborhoods has a community center known as a Safe Haven. Safe Havens are multi-service centers where a variety of youth and adult services are coordinated. Programs for children include afterschool homework help and tutoring, conflict resolution training, YMCA Summer Camp, 4-H clubs and Prevention through the Arts. Computer training and classes in financial management and nutrition are several of the programs available for adults.
The Weed and Seed Steering Committee meets on the last Monday of every month from 4:00 to 5:00 pm at the Department of Community Support Services. Residents and property owners are encouraged to attend, as are any agencies or businesses that are interested in learning more about the Weed and Seed strategy.
