Weed and Seed (W&S) is a federal initiative administered by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ).  W&S is a community based strategy with collaborative partnerships among the Department of Justice, the United States Attorney, the Drug Enforcement Agency, the City of South Bend, the South Bend Police Department, the St. Joseph County Prosecutor, residents, businesses, churches, and other community organizations.  Focused in a specific area, W&S aims to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in designated neighborhoods.

The W&S strategy involves a two pronged approach: "weeding" out criminal activity through Law Enforcement and Community Policing while "seeding" in community building activities through Prevention, Intervention and Treatment, and Neighborhood Restoration.  The program is based on these four key components:

Law Enforcement: Additional law enforcement activity to reduce crime and the fear of crime.

Community Policing: Police and residents develop cooperative relationships working together, and foster a sense of responsibility for solving crimes.

Prevention, Intervention and Treatment: Concentrates on human service needs in order to improve the quality and accessibility of service to residents.

Neighborhood Restoration: Focus on the physical environment including items such as infrastructure, housing, parks, and vacant lots.   

The City of South Bend applied for and received official recognition in 2002 for its first Weed & Seed site (west side).  After receiving the maximum number of Federal grants, funding from the Department of Justice for that site ended in 2008.  A second Weed & Seed site (northwest site) was recognized and received its first year of funding in 2008.  View a map and address range of the Northwest Site.

Contact

For more information about the Weed & Seed strategy, contact the Department of Community & Economic Development.

Chris Dressel, Planner, 574.235.5847

Department of Community & Economic Development
Division of Community Development
227 W. Jefferson Boulevard • Suite 1200 S
South Bend, IN 46601
574.235.9660 • Fax: 574.235.9469