Levin, Stabenow Announce $350,000 Coming to Detroit for Crime Control and Prevention

WASHINGTON —U.S. Senators Carl Levin (D-MI) and Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) announced today that the U.S. Department of Justice Community Capacity Development Office is awarding $350,000 to implement new community policing strategies in two Detroit neighborhoods – $175,000 for Hamtramck, and $175,000 for an area of southwest Detroit on the border with Dearborn – aimed at reducing the impact of gang- and drug-related activities. The funding comes as part of the fiscal year 2007 Weed and Seed Communities competitive grant program.

“These federal dollars mark the beginning of a concerted effort to combat the scourge of gang- and drug-related crime and violence in two Detroit neighborhoods,” said Levin. “I am hopeful that this tiered approach will help bring law enforcement officials together with community leaders in the fight against crime.”

“The Weed and Seed initiative makes a concerted effort to reduce the incidence of violent crime, gang activity and drug abuse in the Detroit community,” said Stabenow. “This program helps unite leaders from across the community, enabling them to proactively create a safer environment for their children.”

These are the first Justice Department awards to implement the crime-fighting strategies of two Detroit neighborhoods designated Weed and Seed Communities effective October 1, 2007: an area within the Detroit Police Department’s Southwest District Sector 5, bordered on the west by the Detroit/Dearborn border, on the east by Junction Street, to the south by West Fort Street and to the north by John Kronk Street; and the entire city of Hamtramck. Law enforcement officials in these neighborhoods will focus on reducing the impact of gang- and drug-related crime through increased police presence, strengthening the working relationships between law enforcement, the community and neighborhood organizations, and a restoration strategy to reduce blight and encourage collaboration amongst local organizations seeking to improve the quality of life for local residents.

The Weed and Seed initiative aims to control, reduce and prevent violent crime, drug abuse and gang activity in designated high-crime neighborhoods across the country through a multilevel strategic plan. Funded by a competitive grant program, the strategy involves a two-pronged approach: law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in "weeding out" violent criminals and drug abusers, while public agencies and community-based private organizations collaborate to "seed" much-needed human services, including prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood restoration programs. A community-oriented policing component bridges the weeding and seeding elements.