Anderson Achieves Federal Weed and Seed Status

ANDERSON, IN - U.S. Attorney Susan Brooks congratulated Mayor Kevin S. Smith today on Anderson’s successful application to become a Weed and Seed program site. The announcement was made during a press conference in the Anderson City Building Lobby, along with members of the Weed and Seed Steering Committee and representatives of the office of Congressman Mike Pence.   

Operation Weed and Seed is a program of the U.S. Department of Justice that operates in 250 neighborhoods across the nation. Its four basic components involve law enforcement; community policing; prevention, intervention and treatment, and; neighborhood restoration.

“Weed and Seed is a highly effective crime reduction strategy that has a proven track record throughout the country,” U.S. Attorney Brooks said. “I am so pleased that the City of Anderson has brought together residents and law enforcement to work hand in hand on the community’s crime problems. The Department of Justice is proud to have the opportunity to financially assist Anderson weed out this crime, seed with revitalization efforts and restore your community.”

Susan W. Brooks

“Operation Weed and Seed’ will further the city’s efforts to create a new Anderson,” said Mayor Smith. “I appreciate the hard work and idealism this successful grant application represents. Kim Townsend, Lt. Jerry Miller, Det. Joel Sandefur, steering committee members, CrimeWatch groups, and the residents of our target neighborhood have already begun to make a difference for their families and community.”

Mayor Kevin S. Smith

The initial award for the city of Anderson is $175,000; but, Operation Weed and Seed is a multi-year, multi-step program that awards up to $1 million for communities as they achieve incremental success. The Weed and Seed Program provides resources for grant communities to enhance law enforcement efforts to reduce the re-arrest rate among adult male and female ex-offenders participating in offender re-entry programs. It also targets reduction of drug crime, related crime (such as theft and forgery) and violent crime in the designated area by at least 10 percent over five years.
   
"I'm grateful to the Department of Justice for their investment in the City of Anderson, said Congressman Pence.  "This program will help increase the safety for residents of Anderson."

The Community Capacity Development Office (CCDO) approved Central Anderson as a Weed and Seed Community (WSC) effective October 1, 2007. The designated area is bounded by Scatterfield Road, University Boulevard, Alexandria Pike, Elder Street, Indiana Avenue, White River, Arrow Avenue, Eighth Street, Baxter Road, Euclid Drive, Raible Avenue, Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., 25th Street, Madison Avenue, 38th Street, back to Scatterfield Road.