THE SENATE

S.B. NO.

1347

THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2019

 

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.  The legislature finds that the weed and seed strategy is a United States Department of Justice initiative that is administered locally by the United States Attorney's Office.

     The weed and seed strategy is a collaborative effort among federal, state, and county law enforcement 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 uses 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 program has been successful since its inception in the Kalihi‑Palama and Chinatown areas of downtown Honolulu as well as in Waipahu, Ewa, and Ewa Beach.  The legislature also finds that crime in these areas has been significantly reduced since the inception of the program.

     The purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation to maintain the weed and seed strategy.

     SECTION 2.  There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $400,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2019-2020 and the same sum or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2020-2021 for a grant pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to Weed and Seed Hawaii to maintain the weed and seed program.

     The sums 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, 2019.

 

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

 

 


 


 

Report Title:

AG; Weed and Seed Program; Grants; Appropriation

 

Description:

Appropriates funds to the Department of the Attorney General as a grant for Weed and Seed Hawaii to maintain the weed and seed strategy, a collaborative effort to prevent crime and rebuild communities in targeted areas.

 

 

 

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.