Report Title:

Weed and Seed Program

Description:

Makes a grant-in-aid for the Weed and Seed strategy.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1695

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2003

 

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. Act 282, Session Laws of Hawaii 2001, appropriated funds to expand the Weed and Seed strategy to qualifying communities in the State. Initiated in 1992, the Weed and Seed strategy is a United States Department of Justice initiative that is administered locally by the United States Attorney’s Office and 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. 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, as it has been subsequently for the Waipahu site. Of continuing concern is the Ewa Beach community's problem with crime. The legislature further finds that the program’s success warrants its expansion into other communities.

The purpose of this Act is to make a grant under chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the Hawaii Community Foundation to expand the Weed and Seed strategy to other communities that meet federal guidelines for receiving federal funding under the Weed and Seed strategy.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $700,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2003-2004, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, as a grant-in-aid pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the Hawaii Community Foundation for the purposes of this Act.

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, 2003.

INTRODUCED BY:

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