Report Title:
Weed and Seed Program
Description:
Makes an appropriation for the expansion of the Weed and Seed Program. (SD1)
THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
3048 |
TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004 |
S.D. 1 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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A BILL FOR AN ACT
relating to the weed and seed program.
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 and fifty 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 local Weed and Seed Program has been successful since its inception in the Kalihi-Palama and Chinatown areas of downtown Honolulu as a weed and seed site. 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 the department of the attorney general to expand the Weed and Seed Program to other communities that meet federal guidelines for receiving federal funding under the Weed and Seed Program.
SECTION 2. There shall be a steering committee for the Weed and Seed Program. The department of the attorney general shall chair the steering committee. The steering committee shall advise the Weed and Seed Program regarding the disbursements of the funds.
SECTION 3. The Weed and Seed Program shall receive legislative appropriations only if an account is established for legislative appropriations, federal funds, and private contributions for the program.
SECTION 4. 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 the expansion of the Weed and Seed Program to other communities that meet federal guidelines for receiving federal funding under the Weed and Seed Program.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of the attorney general for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 5. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2004.