Report Title:

Weed and Seed Program

 

Description:

Makes a grant-in-aid for the Weed and Seed strategy. (CD1)

 

THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1365

TWENTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2001

S.D. 2

STATE OF HAWAII

H.D. 2


C.D. 1

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 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 Program 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 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. The Weed and Seed strategy shall partner with the Hawaii Community Foundation, a nonprofit tax exempt organization.

SECTION 3. The legislature further finds that the Hawaii Community Foundation has long been recognized for its efforts to bring diverse interest groups in the community together to work for the common good. For nearly a century, the Hawaii Community Foundation has administered funds on behalf of charitable interests in the community with experience and integrity.

The legislature further finds that the grant under this Act is in the public interest and serves the public health, safety, and welfare.

SECTION 4. There shall be a steering committee for the Weed and Seed strategy. The United States Attorney for Hawaii shall chair the steering committee. The steering committee shall advise the Hawaii Community Foundation regarding the disbursements of the grant funds.

SECTION 5. The Hawaii Community Foundation shall establish an account to receive legislative appropriations, federal funds, and private contributions for the Weed and Seed strategy.

SECTION 6. There is appropriated out of the general

revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $350,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2001-2002, 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 7. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2001.