Report Title:

Weed and Seed; Appropriation

Description:

Appropriates funds to the department of the attorney general, the department of human services, and the University of Hawaii to assist in the expansion of the weed and seed strategy.

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

2565

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

making an appropriation 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 Attorneys' 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 state, federal, and county law enforcement agencies, social service agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and residents to reclaim, restore, and rebuild communities. 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 elements in these communities. 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 program's success warrants its expansion into other communities.

The purpose of this Act is to appropriate moneys to expand and implement the weed and seed strategy in other communities across the State.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $           , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, for the department of the attorney general to assist in the expansion and implementation of the weed and seed strategy in other communities across the State. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of the attorney general for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, for the department of human services to assist in the expansion and implementation of the weed and seed strategy in communities across the State. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of human services for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 4. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $          , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2004-2005, for the University of Hawaii to assist in the expansion and implementation of the weed and seed strategy in communities across the State. The sum appropriated shall be expended by the University of Hawaii for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2004.

INTRODUCED BY:

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