Report Title:

Weed and Seed Strategy

Description:

Makes an appropriation for the Weed and Seed strategy.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2976

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

RELATING TO THE WEED AND SEED STRATEGY.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The weed and seed strategy is a United States Department of Justice initiative that is administered locally by the United States Attorney’s Office. Initiated in 1992, the strategy currently includes more than two hundred forty-nine sites in two hundred twenty-six cities across the country.

The weed and seed strategy is a collaborative effort among law enforcement (federal, state, and county) agencies, social service agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and residents to reclaim, restore, and rebuild communities. The four key elements of the weed and seed strategy are:

(1) Law enforcement;

(2) Community policing;

(3) Prevention, intervention, and treatment programs; and

(4) Neighborhood restoration.

The weed and seed strategy works with local law enforcement to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted neighborhoods by "weeding" out the criminal element in the community. Community policing involves having police officers work closely with community residents to develop solutions to violent and drug-related crimes. The next step is to "seed" the community with human services that include prevention, intervention treatment, and neighborhood revitalization.

The legislature finds that the weed and seed strategy has been successful since its inception in the Kalihi-Palama and Chinatown areas of downtown Honolulu as a weed and seed site. The legislature further finds that since the beginning of the program, crime in those areas has been significantly reduced. The legislature further finds that the strategy's success warrants its expansion into other communities.

The purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation for purposes of the weed and seed strategy.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general

revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $500,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005 for purposes of the weed and seed strategy.

The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of the attorney general for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2004.

INTRODUCED BY:

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