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Creating community partnerships to rebuild neighborhoods |
Weed & Seed Mini-Grant Request For Proposal
The North Charleston Weed and Seed is requesting proposals for mini-grants to be given to community based agencies and organizations, non-profit 501c 3’s, schools, and units of government. This money is to be used to 1. Provide the means to community agencies to engage in preventing criminal or violent behavior, treating its victims, and improving the quality of life in Weed & Seed neighborhoods. 2. Help community agencies and their programs receive increased publicity; aiding their ability to achieve sustainability for their programs or agencies. The term for use of these monies is October 1, 2007-September 30, 2008. The use of these funds is restricted to the Weed & Seed Target Area, which includes the North Charleston neighborhoods of Charleston Farms, Russelldale, Ferndale and Liberty Park/Highland Terrace. RFP’s are due no later than 12 noon January 18, 2008. Contact Weed & Seed Coordinator Paul Fish at (843) 822-1189 or paul_fish@charleston.k12.sc.us
Weed and Seed is a strategy developed by the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, which aims to prevent, control, and reduce the levels of violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods across the United States. Weed and Seed sites range in size from several neighborhood blocks to 15 square miles.
The strategy involves a two-pronged approach: law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in "weeding out" criminals who participate in violent crime and drug abuse, attempting to prevent their return to the targeted area; and "seeding" brings human services to the area, encompassing prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood restoration.
A community-oriented policing component bridges weeding and seeding strategies. Officers obtain helpful information from area residents for weeding efforts while they aid residents in obtaining information about community revitalization and seeding resources.
Working toward “weeding out” negative influences of drugs and crime in the targeted areas, by enforcing laws and prosecuting criminals.
Bridging the weeding and seeding efforts by focusing on building trust between police and the community, opening the lines of communication to promote effective problem solving within the neighborhood, and to mobilize community efforts in combating crime.
| 3) Prevention / Intervention / Treatment | A variety of efforts to help prevent crime serves as a way to reduce crime and violence where it has already taken place. This can be accomplished by concentrating a broad array of human services on the target areas to create an environment where crime cannot thrive.
4) Neighborhood Restoration
| 4) Neighborhood Restoration | Designed to revitalize distressed neighborhoods and improve the quality of life in the targeted area. This is achieved through the coordinated use of Federal, State, North Charleston, and private sector resources.
WHAT ARE THE GOALS OF WEED & SEED?
Decrease street level drug sales
Decrease drug houses
Decrease youth gang activity
Increase community defense
Create sustainable community change
Decrease neighborhood deterioration
Reduce neighborhood crime
Improve lighting to reduce crime
Improve traffic safety in neighborhoods
Increase home ownership
Expand safe havens
Mobilize, organize & coordinate community resources
Maximize neighborhood pride & connection among neighborhoods
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