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Weed and Seed Local Evaluation Meta Analysis
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Weed and Seed Local Evaluation Meta Analysis
Submitted to the
Executive Office for Weed and Seed
Office of Justice Programs
U.S. Department of Justice
By the
March 11, 2004
Acknowledgements
Principal JRSA authors: Mathew Perkins, and Jim Zepp
JRSA research assistance: Jason Trask and Chris Ayers
Justice Research and Statistics Association
777 North Capitol St., NE, Suite 801
Washington, DC 20002-4239
(202) 842-9330 - phone
(202) 842-9329 - fax
cjinfo@jrsa.org - email
jrsa.org - Web site
This document was supported by Grant No. 2003-WS-QX-0702 awarded by the
Executive Office for Weed and Seed, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of
Justice. Points of view in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily
represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Table of Contents
Introduction and Executive Summary ................................................................................ 2
Summaries of Individual Evaluations................................................................................. 6
San Diego, CA ................................................................................................................ 6
Hartford, CT.................................................................................................................... 8
New Britain, CT.............................................................................................................. 9
Wilmington, DE............................................................................................................ 11
Wilmington, DE............................................................................................................ 12
Ocala, FL....................................................................................................................... 13
Sarasota, FL .................................................................................................................. 14
Savannah, GA ............................................................................................................... 15
Honolulu, HI ................................................................................................................. 17
Des Moines, IA ............................................................................................................. 19
Shreveport, LA.............................................................................................................. 21
Baltimore, MD .............................................................................................................. 22
Woburn, MA ................................................................................................................. 23
Grand Rapids, MI.......................................................................................................... 24
Kansas City, MO........................................................................................................... 26
Las Vegas, NV .............................................................................................................. 28
Reno, NV ...................................................................................................................... 29
Atlantic City, NJ ........................................................................................................... 31
Albuquerque, NM ......................................................................................................... 32
Akron, OH..................................................................................................................... 33
Youngstown, OH .......................................................................................................... 34
Oklahoma City, OK ...................................................................................................... 36
Philadelphia, PA ........................................................................................................... 38
Pittsburgh, PA ............................................................................................................... 40
Pittsburgh, PA ............................................................................................................... 41
Houston, TX.................................................................................................................. 42
Salt Lake City, UT ........................................................................................................ 43
State of Virginia............................................................................................................ 44
Seattle, WA ................................................................................................................... 45
Seattle, WA ................................................................................................................... 46
Wheeling, WV .............................................................................................................. 47
Madison, WI ................................................................................................................. 49
Milwaukee, WI ............................................................................................................. 51
Milwaukee, WI ............................................................................................................. 53
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Introduction and Executive Summary
The Executive Office for Weed and Seed (EOWS) has distributed millions of dollars in
Federal support to distressed communities throughout the United States since 1991. With
a mission that focuses crime intervention and prevention efforts into some of the nation's
most crime ridden areas, Weed and Seed has a large stake in assuring programmatic
effectiveness. At it's most dramatic, the effectiveness of Weed and Seed programs can be
a matter of life and death - by eliminating crime and disorder, including elimination of
the drug trade and attendant violence, violent crime, gang activity, and homicide.
It is at this most basic level - life and death - that EOWS has developed an annual
measure of effectiveness. Through reporting for the Government Performance and
Results Act (GPRA), Weed and Seed sites report trends in homicide for both their target
area, and for the encompassing jurisdiction. No program of this size should rely on only
one measure of effectiveness, however and over the years, EOWS has actively pursued
multiple approaches for developing evaluation information on the effectiveness and
promise of the Weed and Seed strategy. This has included nationally directed evaluation
efforts as well as locally initiated studies.
Other recent national efforts include a crime pattern data collection project that solicits
crime data from grantees for crimes that are the priority of an individual site. Collected
for a six year period, which includes statistics preceding project implementation and for
several years afterwards, this data will help show the degree to which grantees impact
those crimes that are their communities’ major concerns as identified in their Weed and
Seed strategies. The Performance Indicators project, also currently underway, relies on
geo-spatial analysis to shed light on program effectiveness.
EOWS encourages local evaluation efforts in addition to these national efforts, providing
resources and technical assistance for sites to conduct proper evaluations. Some of the
fruit of these efforts is presented in this summary of local Weed and Seed evaluation.
Though of varying degrees of complexity and with findings that are not universal, these
studies add to the body of work developed to explore the effectiveness of the Weed and
Seed strategy at both the local and national level. Because of the wide scope of many
local Weed and Seed strategies, it is often not feasible with the available resources to
examine all aspects of a local site’s activities to the same depth. Consequently, some
variations across these studies are due to the specific focus of individual investigators.
This meta analysis reviews and summarizes:
• 34 separate reports assessing local Weed and Seed sites/activities (including ones
study for all Weed and Seed sites in the state of Virginia)
• Studies from 24 states. States with the most studies include…
o
Pennsylvania and Wisconsin with 3 studies apiece
o
Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Nevada, Ohio, and Washington with 2
studies apiece
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• Studies were published in the following years…
Year
- Number of Studies Published
o
1997 -
5
o
1998 -
1
o
1999 -
13
o
2000 -
8
o
2001 -
1
o
2002 -
4
o
2003 -
2
• Multiple studies over time for 4 jurisdictions
As previously stated, these evaluations have been conducted for both local use and
national level assessments and as such lose some of their comparability. All these
studies, however, attempt to determine the effect of Weed and Seed efforts on local
communities.
Overall, the evaluations have generally found significant improvements in community
crime conditions, residents’ attitudes were positive regarding changes occurring in the
target areas, and increased interagency coordination and cooperation through
participation in the Weed and Seed strategy. Because local sites may be addressing a
broad range of crime, social, educational, housing, and economic development issues,
their progress can be affected by many organizational development concerns, institutional
barriers, and funding limits that less comprehensive efforts do not contend with. Several
studies have noted instances where such difficulties may have prevented or delayed full
implementation of planned strategies. Despite the challenges of this complexity, local
sites can often show substantial progress in some objectives while making inroads in
others.
Some of the more noteworthy observations for individual sites include:
• Overall decreases in calls for service, reported crime, and arrests in the target area
with no evidence of displacement (San Diego, CA)
• Statistically significant increase in citizens' positive perception of their
neighborhood, in police responsiveness, community involvement, and positive
perceptions of other city services (Hartford, CT)
• Declines in total Index Offenses, violent crime and property crime in the target
area greater than those experienced in the city as a whole (Ocala, FL)
• A decline in target area drug offenses from 1997 through 2001 of over half, and
drastic target area declines in Part I crimes (75.5%) and Part II crimes (69.5%)
from 1997 through 2000 (Honolulu, HI)
• A reduction in absenteeism of 50% among a targeted group of chronic truants
(Grand Rapids, MI)
• Positive affects among children in the experimental group for school attendance,
conduct, conflict resolution strategies and use of aggression in response to peer
conflicts, as compared to a control group (Madison, WI)
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These are just a selection of the positive results highlighted in these local evaluation
efforts. Though not all programs show positive effects attributable to Weed and Seed
activities, the value of including such local efforts into the tapestry of Weed and Seed
assessments is high. EOWS will continue to work with local sites in encouraging
detailed and thorough analyses of individual Weed and Seed efforts.
!
Hartford (1)
!
Wilmington (1)
!
Ocala (1)
!
New Britain (1)
Sarasota (2)
!
!
Savannah (1)
!
State of Virginia (4)
Honolulu (1
)
!
!
Oklahoma City (1)
Shreveport (1
)
!
!
Baltimore (1)
Woburn (1)
!
!
Grand Rapids (1)
!
Las Vegas (2)
!
Salt Lake City (1)
!
Reno (1)
!
Houston
(1)
!
Pittsburgh (4)
!
Atlantic City (1)
!
Albuquerque (1)
San Diego (1)
!
Seattle (2)
!
Madison (1)
!
!
Milwaukee (1)
Kansas City (1)
!
Wheeling (1)
!
Des Moines (1)
!
Philadelphia (1)
!
Akron (1)
!
!
Youngstown (1)
Jurisdictions for Which A Local Evaluation Was Included in This Meta Analysis
() indicates the number of local sites involved
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Summaries of Individual Evaluations
San Diego, CA
Title: Weeding and Seeding Troubled Communities: A Process and Impact Assessment
of the San Diego Weed and Seed Site
Target Areas: San Diego Target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 7/1/1997
Focus:
This report presents the study findings from the process and impact assessment of the
Weed and Seed project operated within the City of San Diego. Though the resources
available for the research effort were limited, the San Diego experience, as revealed in
this report, provides valuable information for future efforts to positively impact distressed
and crime-ridden communities, both locally and across the nation.
Findings:
The specific impact of the Weed and Seed Initiative on the target community was
difficult to document through the available data. It was difficult to associate changes
occurring during the Weed and Seed project with actual program activities and outcomes.
However, the program did focus on a community in need based on sociodemographic
data and crime measures. Findings supporting the positive influence of the Initiative
include the following.
- Overall, crime declined based on calls for service, reported crime, and arrest data, and
there was no evidence of crime displacement into the surrounding community.
- The response of the justice system to criminal activity in the area became more
aggressive after the implementation of the Weed and Seed project.
- Target area residents and merchants reported positive ratings of the police through
interviews and surveys.
- Many Weed and Seed strategies were consistent with the needs of the community (e.g.,
more officers on the street, improvement of police-community relations).
The following study results suggest areas for improvement as Weed and Seed efforts, or
similar programs, continue to address troubled communities.
- Several areas within the target site continue to be crime ridden.
- The majority of probation revocations for probationers residing within the target area
were the result of individuals failing to report to their probation officer and disappearing
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(i.e., absconding) rather than court action (e.g., modification of probation order, new
sentence), suggesting a need for more aggressive follow-up with individuals under
community supervision to prevent absconding.
- Based on interviews with residents and surveys of local merchants, less than half of the
community viewed the area as desirable. Slightly less than a quarter (23%) of residents
and 40 percent of merchants rated their community. as a good place to live or conduct
business. Over half noted that this rating remained unchanged compared to one year
earlier.
- The specific problems in the target area requiring attention varied across groups (i.e.,
residents, merchants, and law enforcement officers). For residents and police, drug-
related crime was the most frequently cited problem, while merchants noted graffiti most
often. However, all three groups agreed that gang activity was a problem for the
community.
- Reporting of victimization, according to resident interviews, was below actual
occurrence levels. Further, opportunity for participation in problem solving with police
was curtailed by time constraints and child care issues.
- Education measures (i.e., scholastic test scores, truancy, and school drop-outs) remained
relatively unchanged.
- Based on the number of new businesses and jobs emerging in the Weed and Seed area
over time, the business climate did not seem to be impacted by the Initiative.
- There was a lack of consensus among program participants (i.e., Executive Steering
Committee and Neighborhood Council) regarding the methods for achieving program
goals and decision-making authority.
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Hartford, CT
Title: National Evaluation of Weed and Seed - Hartford Case Study
Target Areas: Stowe Village target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 7/1/1999
Focus:
This case study documents the activities implemented under the Weed and Seed Program
in Hartford and assesses the program's impact at this site. The activities undertaken for
this case study: (1) on-site observation of program activities; (2) in-person interviews
with program staff; (3) review of program documents; (4) a survey of target area
residents; and (5) analysis of computerized crime and arrest records provided by the local
police department.
Findings:
Survey analysis shows statistically significant improvements in citizens' perceptions of
their neighborhood, in police responsiveness, in community involvement, and in
perceptions of other city services. In this respect, the findings of the survey analysis and
the crime statistics analysis--both point to an overall improvement in the quality of life in
Stowe Village Weed and Seed Site. Participant interviews also confirm positive effects
of Weed and Seed strategy in the target area.
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New Britain, CT
Title: Final Report of the Evaluation of the New Britain Weed and Seed Program
Target Areas: New Britain
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 6/22/1999
Focus:
The primary purposes of this study were to determine if the New Britain Weed and Seed
site was consistent with the vision of the Executive Office for Weed and Seed and to
identify the effects of site programming. This evalution covered the first two years of
program implementaion and focused on four areas; steering committee, weeding, and
seeding activities as well as budget allocation. Data collection measures included
steering committee observations and interviews, interviews with program implementation
staff, and a review of the program budget. Police data (calls for service, drug calls for
service, number of personal crimes, and property felonies) was analyzed and a
comparison was made between this data for the site area and the rest of New Britain for
the years 1993-1998 that enabled crime trends to be examined before and after program
inception.
Findings:
Results first provided a description of the weeding and seeding program activities.
Notable weeding activities consisted of the gun abatement program which targeted drug
dealers and illegal weapons through increased police presence in gun crime "hot spots"
and the Community Action Team that stepped up police patrols to reduce open air drug
markets and minor violations. The MARCH (Multi-Agency Response to Community
Hot Spots) program was provided assistance by the weed and seed program to provide
government inspections of local businesses. Seeding strategies consisted of a coalition
between police, public, and private agencies to strengthen the site with numerous social,
economic, and housing improvement progams. The weed and seed program also
established funding for neighborhood revitalization as well as adult and youth
programming. The analysis of police data noted two major findings after program
inception; there were significant differences in regards to calls for service and drug calls
for servcie between the weed and seed site and the rest of the city. There was found to be
an increase in calls for service within the weed and seed site for the first year of the
program with a decrease in the second year. The report concluded that the increase was
due to the success of community policing, as site residents felt more comfortable in
calling the police to report crimes, and the increased police presence of the weeding
strategies. The decrease the next year was attributed to the actual reduction in crime
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caused by the weeding initiatives. This same concept was hypothesized for the increase
in drug calls for service in the first year of program implementation. Multiple program
recommendations concluded the evaluation.
There were a couple study limitations noted by the authors. First, due to a lack of
resources, there was no resident survey which would have given a perspective on the
quality of resident life. Next, the timing of the evaluation limited the ability to make pre-
post comparisons of program effects as the evaluation was conducted two years after the
program beginning. A number of staff that were around during program inception were
not available for comment which resulted in current key players having to think back
retrospectively. This threatened the accuracy of information about site programming.
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Wilmington, DE
Title: Evaluation of Operation Weed and Seed in Wilmington, DE
Target Areas: Westside/Hilltop, West Center City, and Browntown/Hedgeville target
area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 9/1/1999
Focus:
This report was one in a series of annual evaluations of the Wilmington Weed and Seed
Site conducted since 1993. These studies provide a longitudinal analyses of both crime
trends in the targeted area as well as changing perceptions and attitudes about Operation
Weed and Seed and community policing in Wilmington.
Findings:
During 1997, little change in drug activity was shown over the preceding year. However,
in 1998 there were positive signs of improvement in some offense categories (i.e. robbery
and assault) and shootings which had been a major problem for the area in recent years
had shown a significant decrease.
Resolution of the City's budgetary problems meant that the police department would be
fully staffed shortly and other organizational changes for managing the seeding activities
indicated that there was a more promising situation for addressing the Site's persistent
crime and deteriorated neighborhood conditions than in the preceding five years.
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Wilmington, DE
Title: City of Wilmington Operation Weed and Seed 1992 to 1996: An Evaluation
Target Areas: Westside/Hilltop, West Center City, and Browntown/Hedgeville target
area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 3/1/1998
Focus:
While mainly analyzing crime issues, this report summarizes the activities and impacts of
Operation Weed and Seed in Wilmington from 1992 to 1996.
Findings:
Despite some substantial gains in reducing drug crime activity and stabilizing the overall
community conditions in the target area during the first two years of operation, the Site
experienced a severe setback in 1994 when budgetary problems caused the local
government to cutback law enforcement personnel not only to it but city-wide as well.
Combined with a reduction in the amount of Federal resources and a resurgence of drug
traffickers from outside the community and the state, crime quickly reverted to its pre-
Weed and Seed levels.
The restoration of some community policing resources and assistance from county, state,
and Federal law enforcement agencies contributed to a gradual return by 1996 to close to
the early Weed and Seed crime control achievements. However, it was difficult to re-
establish trust with residents and rebuild the community infrastructure that was lost in the
interim. This highlights the importance of maintaining a sustained commitment for a
Weed and Seed effort beyond a few years. Otherwise, credibility with the residents is
lost and vital momentum may not be recoverable when renewed efforts are made.
The Site's seeding efforts were not as strong as its weeding activities. When the
community policing resources were cut, many of the positive conditions that would have
promoted neighborhood revitalization were lost as well.
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Ocala, FL
Title: City of Ocala Weed & Seed Evaluation Final Report August 1999
Target Areas:
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 8/1/1999
Focus:
The purpose of the evaluation is to determine; 1) the extent to which the Weed and Seed
program in Ocala has been effective in meeting the goals for the program and the
objectives for each component, and 2) the degree to which the identified strategies have
been implemented and the relationship of these strategies to the program's outcomes.
Findings:
Utilizing stakeholder interviews, door-to-door surveys, and publicly available data. Data
shows a decline in the target are for Total Index Offenses, violent crime, property crime
from 1994 to 1997, and the percentage decline for the Weed and Seed target area is
greater than similar declines in the City of Ocala as a whole, Marion County, and the
state of Florida. Drug arrests, on the other hand, more than doubled at a time when drug
arrests in the city, county and state were declining.
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Sarasota, FL
Title: National Evaluation of Weed and Seed - Manatee/Sarasota Case Study
Target Areas: North and South Manatee target areas
Number of Sites: 2
Publication Date: 7/1/1999
Focus:
This case study documents the activities implemented under the Weed and Seed Program
in Manatee/Sarasota and assesses the program's impact at this site. The activities
undertaken for this case study: (1) on-site observation of program activities; (2) in-person
interviews with program staff; (3) review of program documents; (4) a survey of target
area residents; and (5) analysis of computerized crime and arrest records provided by the
local police department.
Findings:
The authors caution that any perceived changes in crime trends and citizen opinions on
public safety may not be solely due to implementation of the Weed and Seed strategy.
Nevertheless, improved trends in crime data in the two target areas relative to the rest of
the county were observed. The resident survey results were mixed with some
improvements in residents' sense of safety and satisfaction with police shown but other
indicators did not change or observed differences could be the result of measurement
issues.
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Savannah, GA
Title: Savannah's Weed and Seed Program Evaluation
Target Areas: Northeast Savannah target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 8/1/2000
Focus:
The evaluation examines the effectiveness of select "weed" side components of
Savannah’s Weed and Seed program in 1999, by analyzing data gathered from the target
area residents and interviewing police line officers as well as supervisory and
management personnel with responsibilities in Weed and Seed neighborhoods. Other
methods include Weed and Seed committee meeting minutes and quarterly reports; and,
from crime data bases aggregated by both target area and city-wide crime incident data.
Findings:
By any measure, the analysis of crime data in the target area for the four-year period
shows that Weed and Seed neighborhoods are still severely over-represented by violence,
drugs, public nuisances, and simple assaults. In sum, the frequency of crime over the life
of the Weed and Seed project has changed little.
What to make of these findings? From its inception, annual federal funding for the
Savannah Weed and Seed Project declined 72 percent (from $790,000 to $225,000). As a
result, police staffing levels in the target area dropped. Indeed, a difficulty in surveying
police for this study was in finding personnel still assigned to the target area. As funding
decreased, interest in the project waned. Management reassigned officers to other areas
and other duties demanding their urgent attention.
Despite the funding decline, target area residents’ favorable perceptions of the quality of
police services persisted and, on some items, actually increased from 1997 to 1999. This
was the case in spite of the prevailing opinion that inter-agency cooperation and
collaboration could have been better, particularly between SPD and CNT officers.
Paradoxically, as funding decreased, officer opinions about the adequacy of resources to
implement the program did not change. Officers of one agency believed, on the whole,
that staffing, equipment, and materiel were adequate to the task. Another agency’s
officers consistently maintained that the resources were sparse and the management of
those resources deficient.
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In view of the drop in funding and staffing declines, it is also interesting to note that the
incidence of violent crime, drug trafficking, public nuisances, and simple assaults in the
target area remained fairly steady from 1996 through 1999. In short, there was neither a
reduction of crime inside the target area nor displacement of crime to areas outside the
Weed and Seed neighborhoods. At the same time, residents’ perceptions of neighborhood
safety in the target area remained unchanged--as did their view that the only way to get
things done about crime and drugs in the neighborhood was for the residents to help
themselves.
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Honolulu, HI
Title: Weed and Seed Evaluation: Honolulu, Hawaii, Site I, Kalihi-Palama-Chinatown
Target Areas: Kalihi-Palama-Chinatown
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 12/1/2002
Focus:
This study of the Kalihi-Palama-Chinatown site in Honolulu incorporated a multi-faceted
evaluation design that consisted of several data collection measures. Such measures
included observations plus resident, business, and Weed and Seed Executive Commitee
surveys and interviews conducted with local vendors, law enforcement, the courts,
residents, weed and seed staff, business owners, and other partners. An analysis of crime
data and weed and seed meeting minutes, records, and documents was undertaken as
well.
Findings:
Project findings were broken down into the four main components of weed and seed
programming: (1) law enforcement, (2) community policing, (3) intervention, prevention,
and treatment, and (4) neighborhood restoration and economic development. The law
enforcement component was seen by many as a dramatic success due to a consistent
commitment by agenices along with highly visible actions. Drug offenses within the site
were reduced by half from 1997 to 2001 and part I and part II crimes within the site area
were reduced by 75.5% and 69.5% between 1997 and 2000. The Weed and Seed court,
the federal prosecution of drug dealers, and georaphic restriction imposed for site
offenders were a few highlights of law enforcement programming. Results also indicated
that site residents feel safer since weed and seed implementation amid concerns about the
displacement of crime. Community policing initiatives were noted with the increased
support of citizen patrols that were deemed to have a positive impact but also a need to
sustain participation over the long term. The resident survey revealed that more than half
of the residents felt that police responsiveness to community concerns was above
satisfactory. A substantial amount of residents also saw a visible level of interaction
between police and the community at neighborhood events. Overall, "Seeding" programs
(componenets 3 and 4) were seen to make progress but with a recent decrease in
participation. Successful program impementation of "Seeding" activities was seen as
much more diffcult compared to strategies of "Weeding". Intervention, prevention, and
treatment programming teamed with community policing efforts to establish safe havens
where multiple services were provided; academic tutoring, computer classes, anti-drug
education, community projects, health screening, mentoring, and recrerational
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programming. These safe havens were seen to have a big impact on the site along with
the Needle Van initiative that helped curb the spread of HIV/AIDS, though, meeting the
needs of the homeless was found to be challenging. According to the results,
neighborhood restoration and economic development programming face a daunting task
in meeting their goals in the midst of several economic factors. However, the site
participated in multiple partner initiatives that included community cleanups, playground
renovation and construction, enterprsie zone designation, loans for business development,
multiple funding sources aimed at community development, and business training and
education programs. Findings revealed a great amount of resources but a lack of a clear
vision for an economic turnaround. Results concluded with several recommendations for
the site pertaining to inter-organizational, administrative, and operational strategies.
This was a very thorough study of the site using multiple tools of data collection. One
problem was found in the residential survey where the response rate was 15.2%.
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Des Moines, IA
Title: Des Moines Weed and Seed Evaluation Statistical Analysis Center Partnership
Project
Target Areas: Des Moines target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 6/30/1999
Focus:
The Des Moines Weed and Seed evaluation examined the history and evolution of the
Des Moines Weed and Seed site and analyzed current resources and needs in the
community, with particular attention to the Safe Haven component of the strategy. This
report summarizes the information gathered and includes recommendations for ongoing
planning and implementation by the Des Moines Weed and Seed site to strengthen the
project.
Findings:
In general, the Des Moines Weed and Seed site has followed its strategic plan fairly
closely over the first few years of implementation. While some specific tasks discussed
in the original plan submitted in 1995 have not been carried out and others added as
funding, needs and priorities changed, the overall direction of the effort has remained the
same.
An analysis of data available from the DMPD reveals that crime decreased significantly
in the target area from 1994 to 1997. This decrease is likely the result of a combination
of factors, with the Weed and Seed efforts among them.
The Safe Haven element of the plan has added value to the target area, according to
several people interviewed for this evaluation. The Weed and Seed initiative has
leveraged its limited resources in several ways. Weed and Seed funds are often used to
supplement other funding streams, and are infrequently the sole source of funding for a
program. By building on existing programs and partnering with other organizations, the
Weed and Seed funds have been stretched to provide a wide variety of services and
opportunities, such as arts programming, job training, and educational services, that
would otherwise be very limited, if present at all, in the target area.
While there appears to be a general perception that conditions have improved in the Des
Moines Weed and Seed target area and that the combination of various initiatives have
had positive results, most also agree that more needs to be done. As discussed above,
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additional structured activities or programs for middle-school age youth, and
opportunities that provide leadership experience and decision-making responsibilities for
youth are needed. Ongoing and even greater coordination among the multiple service
providers is also essential.
It is also important that the strategies being supported be of sufficient intensity and
duration to have an impact. While there is a tendency to respond to the most pressing,
immediate needs in the community, that may lead to inconsistency and ineffectiveness in
the long-term. Continuing to build the capacity of the Safe Haven, and sustaining quality
programming over time should produce better results.
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Shreveport, LA
Title: National Evaluation of Weed and Seed - Shreveport Case Study
Target Areas: Highland/Stoner Hill target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 7/1/1999
Focus:
This case study documents the activities implemented under the Weed and Seed Program
in Shreveport and assesses the program's impact at this site. The activities undertaken for
this case study: (1) on-site observation of program activities; (2) in-person interviews
with program staff; (3) review of program documents; (4) a survey of target area
residents; and (5) analysis of computerized crime and arrest records provided by the local
police department.
Findings:
Despite some project startup problems that mostly delayed the "seeding" activities and
affected the Site's general management, the Site was able to establish itself. However,
both the U.S. Attorney and local District Attorney's Offices declined to place any
emphasis or additional resources on prosecuting cases resulting from the Site's 'Weeding"
activities.
These initial difficulties did not prevent the Site from producing some positive results.
The analysis of crime data showed an improved trend in the target area, even when crime
started increasing in the rest of the city. The modest investment of resources by Weed
and Seed was also found to play an important role in mobilizing and facilitating the
existing community organizations and public agencies in addressing the target area's
problems. The resident survey reported improved perceptions of police control over
street drug activities, satisfaction with neighborhood programs, and participation in anti-
crime and community revitalization activities. Perceptions of safety and overall
neighborhood satisfaction indicate that even with these improvements, there is still much
to be done in the target area before it can be called a healthy, restored community.
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Baltimore, MD
Title: Evaluation of West Baltimore Weed and Seed
Target Areas: West Baltimore target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 8/1/2000
Focus:
This report summarizes the activities of the West Baltimore Weed and Seed steering
committee. It addresses the problems that the steering committee encountered throughout
their development and reviews the positive moves the group made towards achieving the
established weed and seed goals. Additionally, residents' perceptions of the
neighborhood are summarized.
Findings:
Due to various organizational and startup problems with the Site, the researchers were
unable to perform much of the originally planned evaluation tasks. The following are
their major observations:
- The position of project director should be filled as close to the beginning of the project
as possible. Additionally, this position should be funded as a full-time position.
- Training should be made available for all steering committee members so that group
dynamics, delegation of authority, and efficient means of decision-making can be
understood completely.
- Programming needs should be prioritized, and the opening of the Safe Haven should
receive high priority.
- Efforts should be made to publicize the Weed and Seed efforts and programs.
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Woburn, MA
Title: Analysis of Police Activity and Programming in the Woburn, MA Weed and Seed
Area
Target Areas: Woburn target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 9/1/1999
Focus:
The goal of the evaluation was to provide a product that the Woburn Weed and Seed site
could use to further their work and also provide research that will be helpful for the Weed
and Seed program as a whole by discussing the dynamics of arrest and calls for service
mapping. In conducting this evaluation, the Massachusetts SAC analyzed and mapped
data detailing police calls for service.
Findings:
As the city of Woburn approaches its fourth year of Weed and Seed funding, a
preliminary review of the program operation has found the involved agencies have
implemented the program as initially designed. Weed and Seed continues to operate as an
umbrella program, under which multiple initiatives target a population containing various
needs and issues. Although this study had identified the volume of seeding activities
currently operating in the City, a closer examination of these initiatives would be
beneficial in determining the impact they have had on the city’s residents.
The Statistical Analysis Center anticipates the identification of hot spots will be useful to
the Woburn Weed and Seed administrators in highlighting areas that might need
additional resources, and may also provide indications of possible crime displacement. In
planning for this study, it was initially hypothesized that calls for service would increase
as the community becomes more involved with the idea of helping the police to solve
problems and their confidence and belief in their efforts increases. As demonstrated in
this report, an interesting trend was experienced in Weed and Seed Area: calls decreased
slightly (1%) in 1996 over 1995, then increased 4% in 1997, and again decreased (2%) in
1998 to reach the same call volume experienced in 1995. What is more interesting to
examine are the changes that have occurred over time within the different Weed and Seed
areas. The emergence of robbery incidents where they were previously never executed,
and the significant decrease in disturbance calls are a few examples of where police can
gain insight into their community’s crime problems. Overall, crime in Woburn has
decreased consistently over the four-year period. Whether this trend can be attributed to
the weeding of criminals off the city streets or the seeding of programs for residents
in need of services, is a topic that warrants further study.
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Grand Rapids, MI
Title: Evaluation of the Westside Operation Weed and Seed Truancy Initiative
Target Areas: Westside Grand Rapids target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 12/1/2000
Focus:
This report presents the findings of an assessment of the truancy initiative. Researchers
attended numerous meetings of the Weed and Seed truancy committee in an effort to
identify issues raised by program developers and key stakeholders. Interviews were
conducted with program administrators and primary service providers. Data on each
student involved in the program were obtained from Grand Rapids Public Schools. In
addition, school data were matched with data received from agencies providing services
to the families of identified truants. This data were analyzed in an effort to assess
intervention effectiveness.
Findings:
The results of this evaluation illustrate significant progress in reducing elementary
truancy. Following the first two interventions (receiving a letter and being visited by the
attendance officer), absenteeism decreased for students in the program. The program was
most successful for chronic truants, or youth who missed twenty percent or more of total
school days prior to the initial letter. When the chronic truancy group was isolated from
those who missed less than twenty percent, absenteeism was reduced by 50%.
Program implementation closely corresponded with the model that was initially
developed, however deviations were observed at several stages, including truancy
identification, the referrals process, interagency communication, and information sharing.
There are several implications of the findings of this evaluation. First, it appears that
significant improvement can be made with chronic truants using this model.
Concentrating efforts on this population would enhance the program's success and
streamline the process for school officials with limited resources. At the same time,
students with less serious attendance problems might be better served by a different type
of program. Second, the importance of a program coordinator to oversee the initiative
cannot be overstated. A coordinator could work with all stakeholders and assure that the
model is being implemented as it was designed. Third, active participation by the Grand
Rapids Public Schools Research and Evaluation Unit is critical for resolving data
collection and information sharing concerns.
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The program developed and implemented here demonstrates the necessity of coordinating
several community agencies toward a common goal. Multifaceted issues, such as truancy,
cannot be effectively managed by any singular agency. Through a collaborative
approach, the primary goal of reducing truancy in the target area was achieved, especially
for chronic truants. At the same time, several other important projects resulted from this
partnership. A network was developed between many community resources that may
foster continued coordination in the future. The program also illustrates the challenges of
a collaborative effort, which can inform future efforts in other school districts. Overall,
this program has shown that a coordinated community response can prove successful if
carefully developed and strictly implemented.
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Kansas City, MO
Title: Weed and Seed Evaluation: Westside Expansion Site
Target Areas: Westside Expansion target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 3/1/1997
Focus:
This study examined the overall impact of the Westside expansion Site. Crime statistics
were provided by the Kansas City Police Department. The Boys and Girls Club provided
information about their programs. Residents' opinions were obtained during telephone
interviews conducted with a random sample of 200 community residents. The sample
size had a confidence level of 95% confidence, with a precision of +/- 7%. The purpose
of the survey was to obtain opinions from residents in the Westside area about changes
within their neighborhoods during the year the Weed and Seed Program was in effect.
These opinions were used to help assess how well the program achieved its goals.
Findings:
The Weed and Seed Program was successful based on both quantitative crime data, youth
participation in Boys and Girls Clubs activities and resident perceptions about changes in
their neighborhood during the year July 1995 through June 1996.
Unlike property crime, which was immediately effected by the Weed and Seed Program,
violent crime took longer to effect. One of the reasons for the lagged reduction in violent
crime as compared to the reduction in property crime could be that reductions in violent
crime require more than just increased policing. The increased number of police patrols
in the area probably represented an immediate deterrent to property crimes. Over time,
the increased level of policing combined with community participation may have
changed attitudes and the culture in the neighborhood enough that violent crime levels
began to decline a year after the program was implemented.
Of the hundreds of children who participated in the SMART program at the West Bluff
and Oak Park Clubs, 558 completed a survey at the end of their participation. The survey
assessed the impact the program had on the child's attitudes toward drug and alcohol
abuse. The detailed results are shown in a later section of this report. For each of the 24
items, a large majority of the children responded that their attitudes had improved. For
example,
66% Reported that their attitude toward tobacco had improved.
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80% Reported that their attitude toward the use of alcohol had improved.
74% Reported that their attitude toward the use of illegal drugs had improved.
63% Either agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that their attitude toward their
community had improved.
79% Either agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that their attitude toward adults
had improved.
The resident survey found perceptions that community conditions had improved for
concerns such as public disorder, "dope houses", "gang activities", and the physical
appearance of the neighborhood.
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Las Vegas, NV
Title: National Evaluation of Weed and Seed - Las Vegas Case Study
Target Areas: West Las Vegas and Meadows Village target areas
Number of Sites: 2
Publication Date: 7/1/1999
Focus:
This case study documents the activities implemented under the Weed and Seed Program
in Las Vegas and assesses the program's impact at this site. The activities undertaken for
this case study: (1) on-site observation of program activities; (2) in-person interviews
with program staff; (3) review of program documents; (4) a survey of target area
residents; and (5) analysis of computerized crime and arrest records provided by the local
police department.
Findings:
Both police data and survey for the West Las Vegas target area indicate some reduction
in Part I crimes (relative to the rest of the city) and improved perception of public safety
and police responsiveness. The Meadows Village target area did not show a similar
reduction in crime. The study authors suggest that the latter area's characteristics make it
more difficult to effect significant change. In both target areas, program participants
have reported improvements in their quality of life, in terms of newfound personal
efficacy and increased social capital. These outcomes can be seen most clearly in
improved life skills, language proficiency, and job readiness.
Organizational and fiscal management problems experienced by the Site led to
recommendations for greater Federal oversight and technical support.
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Reno, NV
Title: Evaluation Report of the Northeast Reno Weed and Seed Strategy (1999-2001)
Target Areas: Northeast Reno
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 4/1/2002
Focus:
This study was a process evaluation that focused on the site's decision-making processes
and nature of organizational relationships as well as perceptions of the various programs
offered through weed and seed. Research methodology consisted of email, telephone, or
mail surveys of steering committee members, "persons of contact" of partner
organizations, program participants, and site residents along with an interview of the site
coordiantor and observations of steering committee meetings.
Findings:
The survey of the steering committee revealed that the committee had oversight and
representation responsibilities along with high expectations for programming and an
understanding of the general purpose of the weed and seed strategy. A major challenge of
the committee was to sustain the interest and commitment of members. Recently, the
committee has become more active in weed and seed programming and has started to
more clearly define its role. Respondents noted that the biggest success of the weed and
seed campaign were the programs implemented in the community. The biggest
challenges facing the overall strategy was reported as the inability to get program
recognition in the community. The committee also noted that there was conflict between
them and their fiscal agent (Community Services Agency) due to differing goals,
interests, and assets. Committee recommendations for change included increasing the
community awareness of the strategy, increasing community program participation, and
insuring that community programs have a lasting and positve effect. The site coordinator
interview revealed that major challenges to her position and the weed and seed strategy
include getting the steering committee to make decisions and increasing resident
participation in programs. Notable success, according to the site coordinator, included
multiple community programs and the site's relationship with the police department. The
site coordiantor also revealed that the biggest challenge in administering program
strategy lies in the conflict between the steering committee and the fiscal agent as they
differ on who is the decision making body of the strategy. In regards to change, the site
coordinator hopes to have a new fiscal agent and increased community participation in
programs. Observations and interactions with the site coordinator show that she is the
driving force behind the program. It is also concluded that the strain caused from the
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conflicts between the steering committee and the fiscal agent hinder the program's
success in its initiatives. Participants of community based programs related to
prevention, intervention, and treatment as well as neighborhood restoration provided
positive feedback about these programs. Workshops on entrepreneurial skills, computer
skills, leadership skills, and carrer skills along with community service programming
were described as increasing self-esteem and self-confidence as well as educational with
particpants eager to attend more programming. Two major recommendations of the
study request that the weed and seed strategy increase public awareness about
programming and resolve the conflict between the steering committee and the
Community Services Agency (fiscal agent).
Major problems with the study consisted of a low turnout of respondents for the multiple
surveys that were conducted. Only 32% of the steering committee responded to their
survey. A number of contacts from partner agencies were unable to be contacted, most
notably the Community Service Agency workers who are an instrumental part in the
strategy. A phone and mail survey of program participants yielded a 29% response rate.
Also, there was only a slight mentioning of the resident survey results in the report which
could have provided more insight about the success of program implementation.
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Atlantic City, NJ
Title: Weed and Seed Program Evaluation
Target Areas: Atlantic City target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 9/1/2000
Focus:
Atlantic City Weed and Seed completed a formal evaluation of the achievement of
project goals and objectives from January 1999 to September 2000. Outcome measures
included juvenile and adult crime statistics and Safe Haven-related data.
Findings:
Of 17 measures, objectives were met in 12 and not met in 5. Evaluation outcomes
provided programmatic direction in terms of strengths and weaknesses of existing
strategies and the need to modify strategies to increase effectiveness. Positive outcomes
were found for reductions in juvenile and general calls for service, decreases in reported
crimes for several major offenses (I.e., assault, robbery, drugs, domestic violence, and
weapons), and improved attendance and grades for Safe Haven participants. Over
$225,000 in leveraged resources per year was also noted.
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Albuquerque, NM
Title: Evaluation of Albuquerque Weed and Seed Sites: Trumbull and La Mesa
Neighborhoods
Target Areas: Trumbull and La Mesa target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 7/1/2000
Focus:
The primary goals of the evaluation were to examine and document the role of the
Community and Prosecutions Coordinator (CPC) and determine the degree to which
Weed and Seed drug related offenses were successfully prosecuted. The overall
evaluation question was this: how does the work of the CPC impact the Neighborhood
Associations (NAs) of Trumbull and La Mesa? This question is specified further by
asking whether or not court monitoring, performed by members of the NAs in
coordination with the CPC, increases the likelihood that Weed and Seed drug trafficking
cases will be successfully prosecuted?
The core objectives for the evaluation design were to: (1) thoroughly examine the
coordination efforts between the CPC and the Trumbull and La Mesa NAs and; (2)
determine whether court monitoring by neighborhood members is associated with
favorable prosecution outcomes for convicted criminals, especially drug-related offenses.
Findings:
It is clear by the data collected that neighborhood participation in the court monitoring
process has a positive effect on keeping criminals out of these neighborhoods. There are
a greater number of stay away orders, less dismissals, and more prison sentences for
offenders arrested in the Weed and Seed sites, compared to other neighborhoods in
Albuquerque. In addition, neighborhood participation in the court monitoring process is
ostensibly facilitated by the CPC. Through the coordination efforts of the NA members
and the CPC, drug trafficking cases are efficiently tracked as they are processed through
the system. Because of this, NA members are more effective in organizing their efforts in
keeping drug traffickers out of their neighborhoods. Clearer, more formal collaborative
partnerships will promote further change and are the next step in providing these and
other Albuquerque neighborhoods with better, more comprehensive community services.
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Akron, OH
Title: National Evaluation of Weed and Seed - Akron Case Study
Target Areas: West Side target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 7/1/1999
Focus:
This case study documents the activities implemented under the Weed and Seed Program
in Akron and assesses the program's impact at this site. The activities undertaken for this
case study: (1) on-site observation of program activities; (2) in-person interviews with
program staff; (3) review of program documents; (4) a survey of target area residents; and
(5) analysis of computerized crime and arrest records provided by the local police
department.
Findings:
The study was conducted too early in the implementation period of the Weed and Seed
efforts in Akron (substantial EOWS funding was only awarded starting in FY1997) to
draw any definitive conclusions regarding program impacts. However, the report does
detail crime trends as well as community perceptions in Akron.
The authors noted that during the intervening period between 1992 when Akron began
its efforts to start a Weed and Seed Site and the awarding of major EOWS funding in
1997, the local officials and agencies had undertaken several initiatives which indicated
that their interest in the Weed and Seed approach went beyond merely obtaining a grant
from EOWS. Consequently, resources such as grants from other Federal programs, a
community policing structure, and the establishment of a multi-service Safe Haven
facility were much further developed than for many other newly funded Sites in other
jurisdictions.
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Youngstown, OH
Title: Weed and Seed Strategy - Year Three Evaluation Report
Target Areas: Youngstown
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 4/1/2003
Focus:
This study wanted to determine if the Youngstown Weed and Seed strategy has reached
its major goals for the third year (2002) of the program and if improverments have been
made since program inception. The major goals related to the 4 components of weed and
seed programming; law enforcement, community policing, prevention, intervention, and
treatment and neighborhood restoration. Crime rates, housing records, and information
from youth programs was collected and compared to baseline data from the previous two
years of the program. Mail surveys of community residents and businesses were
conducted and their results were compared to survey results from the previous two years.
Findings:
Multiple findings were revealed in regards to the four components of weed and seed
programming. Law enforcement results showed that there was an 18% decrease in the
number of drug complaints in the target area from year two to year three. There has also
been a 30.7% decrease in drug arrests made by the vice squad and patrol division of the
Youngstown PD since program implementation. Weed and seed housing code violations
have been reduced by 56% since 2000. Since program implementation, there has been an
18.2% drop in homicides and a 8.7% drop in the amount of crime within the site. The
community survey revealed that 34.3% of respondents stated that the law enforcement
component was average while 28.8% rated it as good. According to the business survey,
nearly six in ten business owners have seen an increase in the visible prescense of police.
In regards to community policing, ten block watches were found to be still active in the
community and there have been several training sesssions on crime prevention and
intervention being held for block watch members in year three. Safety beacons have also
been distributed to site residents in 2002. The community survey revealed that 41.6% of
its respondents said that they never heard of the weed and seed strategy while 62.2% said
that they did not feel safe in their neighborhood at night. The survey did report that
53.3% stated that the police are more visible in their community. The weed and seed
component of prevention, intervention, and treatment was seen in continued
programming such as the Boy and Girl Scout Troops, Kids Grieve Too (grief counseling
for kids), and an after school program administered by the Youngstown Urban Minority
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Outreach Program (YUMADAOP). Area youth have also been
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provided a continued assortment of educational and recreational activites through after
school programs and summer camps. Progress in meeting the goals of neighborhood
restoration was seen in the business survey that reported that 70.2% of respondents said
that they have heard of the weed and seed strategy and that a majority of them were
interested in a site beautification project. According to the community survey, however,
over four in 10 respondents stated that the neighborhood restoration component was poor.
There have also been 315 units demolished within the weed and seed area since program
inception along with block watch neighborhodd cleanups that were active in 2002.
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Oklahoma City, OK
Title: The Impact of Project Exile on Firearm Offenders in the Oklahoma City Weed and
Seed Area
Target Areas: Oklahoma City target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 1/1/2002
Focus:
This report provides a preliminary overview and assessment of Project Exile for
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This is a joint project of the Oklahoma City Police
Department (OCPD), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), the
Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the
Western District of Oklahoma. Project Exile began in February 2000 in response to
firearm violence, but additionally because of current state sentencing practices, which do
not require all firearm offenders to serve 85 percent of their sentence. The objective is to
reduce firearm violence in the Oklahoma City area through coordinated and targeted use
of federal, state and local law enforcement resources.
The purpose of this report is to establish several baselines regarding the firearm offenders
and offenses for 1999 and to then compare them to those for 2000. Additionally, this
information is then to be compared to the Oklahoma City Weed and Seed location, as
well as a control area. More specifically, the goals and information included throughout
the report involve the following:
- illustrating where the firearm offenses are occurring;
- providing/establishing a baseline on the number of offenses and where they are
occurring so they can be tracked (movement and displacement could be measured) and
identify trends which can be measured over time;
- providing detailed comprehensive information about the nature of these firearm
offenses;
- producing in-depth descriptive information about the firearm offenders;
- documenting the changing nature of the firearm offenders; and
- identify changes in firearm offenses and offenders between 1999 and 2000 in the whole
city-area, the Weed and Seed area, and the control area.
Findings:
The findings from this report include, although not exclusively, the following:
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- there were a total of 1,351 firearm offenses in the OCPD database from November 1,
1998 through October 31, 1999 (referred to as 1999 hence forward);
- the number of firearm offenses decreased to 1,266 for the November 1, 1999 through
October 31, 2000 time period (referred to as 2000 hence forward), which represents over
a 6% decrease;
- the Weed and Seed area had 89 firearm offenses in 1999 and 84 in 2000, which
translates into over a 5% decline;
- a control area, which was identified, experienced 99 firearm offenses in 1999 and 110 in
2000, which is over an 11 % increase
- the most common firearm offenses were robbery, assault and battery, misdemeanor
firearm offenses, and feloniously pointing a firearm; and
- approximately 80% of the firearm offenses committed within the Weed and Seed area
were perpetrated by offenders living outside the Weed and Seed area.
Overall, the findings tend to suggest that Project Exile is having a positive and
anticipated impact on firearm offenses, at least within the Weed and Seed area. Firearm
offenses have decreased slightly in the Weed and Seed location where the heightened
threat of federal prosecution exists. In contrast, there has been an 11% increase in firearm
offenses in the control area. Although a pre-Project Exile baseline and a one-year post-
Project Exile analysis have now been established, additional research and tracking are
needed to provide a clearer picture of the impact of Project Exile.
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Philadelphia, PA
Title: Final Evaluation Report for the Philadelphia Weed and Seed Project
Target Areas: Philadelphia target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 12/10/1997
Focus:
The Center for Social Policy and Community Development, Temple University, has
conducted an overall, outcome evaluation of Philadelphia's Weed and Seed Project,
covering the five years of the program's existence. The evaluation has had two primary
goals.
1. To assess the extent to which the City of Philadelphia Weed and Seed Project has
accomplished its stated tasks and performed its stated activities.
2. To document and analyze the success, or lack thereof, of the Weed and Seed strategy,
as it has been applied in the City of Philadelphia.
The evaluation included an emphasis on the impact that the project has had at the
neighborhood level and an emphasis on the lessons that can be learned from the
Philadelphia experience. A central aspect of the Weed and Seed strategy is the
collaboration between law enforcement agencies, between government agencies, and
between government agencies, community groups and the private sector. The shape and
outcomes of these collaborations was, therefore, highlighted in the evaluation.
The relative effectiveness of the various program elements and the way in which they
complement each other was assessed
Findings:
Overall, the project has achieved successes far in excess of what should be expected,
given the level of funding available. Participants have accomplished their stated tasks in a
responsible and praiseworthy fashion. The community survey conducted for this
evaluation identified three needs as primary: eliminate the drug problem, provide youth
programming and/or recreational facilities and remove or renovate abandoned buildings.
The project has focused precisely upon these stated needs and has achieved considerable
success in each area. Over the five years of the project period there has been a decline in
the participation of a number of organizations, paralleling a decline in funds, and also a
turn away from a full-blown community policing strategy. Nevertheless, the experiences
that have been amassed indicate that the Weed and Seed strategy is well worth pursuing.
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It is concluded that the Philadelphia Weed and Seed project remains a very viable
experiment. If project participants agree to revisit the initial territorial approach --with its
close links between law enforcement and community groups -- and renew their efforts to
coordinate all relevant agencies, the project should be considered for further and greatly
increased funding.
The participants of this project are committed and highly capable. The strategy continues
to hold promise for the resolution of a major social problem. Continued financial support
for this important effort is recommended.
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Pittsburgh, PA
Title: National Evaluation of Weed and Seed - Pittsburgh Case Study
Target Areas: Hill District and Hazelwood/Glen Hazel/Homestead/West Homestead
target areas
Number of Sites: 2
Publication Date: 7/1/1999
Focus:
This case study documents the activities implemented under the Weed and Seed Program
in Pittsburgh and assesses the program's impact at this site. The activities undertaken for
this case study: (1) on-site observation of program activities; (2) in-person interviews
with program staff; (3) review of program documents; (4) a survey of target area
residents; and (5) analysis of computerized crime and arrest records provided by the local
police department.
Findings:
The authors caution that any perceived changes in crime trends and citizen opinions on
public safety may not be solely due to implementation of the Weed and Seed strategy.
Nevertheless, improved trends in crime data for the Crawford-Roberts section of the Hill
District were greater than those for the rest of the city indicating that the Weed and Seed
target area had experienced a proportionately higher reduction in crime. The resident
survey findings do provide substantial evidence that residents of the Crawford Roberts
area considered their community a safer place to live than in 1995 and also regarded the
police and other city services as more responsive to the community's needs and concerns
that they did in 1995.
Other portions of the study examined the organizational aspects of the Weed and Seed
efforts in the two target areas. It was noted that the Sites' operational and managerial
strategies seemed to be appropriate and successful for the political, social, and economic
environments in Pittsburgh.
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Pittsburgh, PA
Title: A Closer Look at Pittsburgh Weed and Seed
Target Areas: Hill District and Hazelwood/Glen Hazel/Homestead/West Homestead
target areas
Number of Sites: 4
Publication Date: 8/1/2001
Focus:
To document activities and outcomes of the Weed and Seed strategy using readily
available data from various local sources.
Findings:
High levels of population mobility and the loss of working age persons for both the city
as a whole and the Local Site presents severe challenges for revitalization of these target
areas. Despite many obstacles, the Local Sites have shown significant progress in
controlling crime. This was evidenced by crime trends that continued to decline between
1997 and 1999 even when crime in the rest of Pittsburgh was going up.
Several examples of active commercial revitalization and community level involvement
were cited as evidence of continued progress in restoring these target areas'
infrastructures.
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Houston, TX
Title: A Closer Look at Houston's Gulfton Weed and Seed Project
Target Areas: Gufton target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 10/1/2000
Focus:
To document activities and outcomes of the Weed and Seed strategy using readily
available data from various local sources.
Findings:
The Gulfton community contains many challenges for crime control and neighborhood
revitalization. Its population is highly transient, with many young adult males and
families with teenagers, and a large proportion of immigrants. A striking feature are the
very large apartment complexes that dominate the physical landscape of the community.
These buildings by themselves are substantial communities.
Consequently, much of the Weed and Seed strategy has been to stabilize conditions in the
short term so that long term efforts have a chance to develop. Extensive partnerships
have been developed that include intergovernmental and public/private cooperation.
Despite some difficult obstacles to overcome, the Site seems to be making progress in its
efforts to establish an effective infrastructure for community revitalization.
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Salt Lake City, UT
Title: National Evaluation of Weed and Seed - Salt Lake City Case Study
Target Areas: Glendale/Poplar Grove/Fairpark target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 7/1/1999
Focus:
This case study documents the activities implemented under the Weed and Seed Program
in Salt Lake City and assesses the program's impact at this site. The activities undertaken
for this case study: (1) on-site observation of program activities; (2) in-person interviews
with program staff; (3) review of program documents; (4) a survey of target area
residents; and (5) analysis of computerized crime and arrest records provided by the local
police department.
Findings:
Weed and Seed is cited as being instrumental in moving the City government from a
response driven approach to service provision to delivering a linked set of safety services
with more focused interventions into community problems. The analysis of crime data
indicated that Part I crimes were declining more quickly in the target area than in the rest
of the city. The resident survey found improvements in public opinions of police
performance in maintaining order in the neighborhood, reducing street drug activity, and
interacting positively with the community.
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State of Virginia
Title: Evaluation of Virginia's Weed and Seed Initiative
Target Areas: Lynchburg, Norfolk, Petersburg, and Winchester
Number of Sites: 4
Publication Date: 10/1/2000
Focus:
This evaluation report documents the implementation of Virginia's Weed and Seed
Initiative in four Local Sites. The evaluation also attempted to assess the impact of the
programs on local crime rates.
Findings:
Although it has not been feasible to thoroughly assess the impact of Weed and Seed,
preliminary evidence suggests that the program shows potential as a way to focus
coordinated community efforts against crime. Local Weed and Seed coordinators
indicated that they are encouraged by the program, and every Weed and Seed Site has
plans to continue the program, at least in part. However, each locality has experienced
challenges with struggling components throughout the project, specifically those that
require high community involvement and strong leadership.
Because the state's financial support of the program has terminated, the evaluators have
developed specific recommendations to guide the future development of Weed and Seed
programs. These recommendations address the following issues:
- Improving resident "buy-in" and support of Weed and Seed activities
- Enhancing the role of the prosecutor in the Weed component
- Improving needs assessment techniques when planning Seed activities
- Facilitating strong leadership and interagency cooperation
- Increasing private sector involvement, and
- Creating program coordinator positions for each local program
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Seattle, WA
Title: National Evaluation of Weed and Seed - Seattle Case Study
Target Areas: Central District target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 7/1/1999
Focus:
This case study documents the activities implemented under the Weed and Seed Program
in Seattle and assesses the program's impact at this site. The activities undertaken for this
case study: (1) on-site observation of program activities; (2) in-person interviews with
program staff; (3) review of program documents; (4) a survey of target area residents; and
(5) analysis of computerized crime and arrest records provided by the local police
department.
Findings:
Weed and Seed was cited as instrumental in moving the Seattle Police Department (the
EOWS grant recipient) into greater interaction and coordination with other agencies and
community groups. This approach is credited as making a substantial contribution to the
significant reductions in crime evident in the target area. Especially worth noting is that
the Mayor and the Police Department responded to initial community concerns about the
potential negative aspects of the planned "weeding" activities. This opposition was
successfully addressed by insuring community input into the "weeding" operations and
the adoption of law enforcement strategies acceptable to the area's residents.
The resident survey indicated improved opinions about public safety, city services, and
quality of life which was coupled with increased citizen involvement in the community
and a greater awareness of the Weed and Seed program. Respondents did report a
slightly higher sense of victimization than was claimed in another survey done two years
earlier.
The overall success of Weed and Seed in Seattle is also indicated by the City's continued
expansion of the existing Site plus the development of a second Site. Some aspects of
Weed and Seed have been incorporated in to the City's operations and budget as a means
of sustaining its strategic approach to crime reduction and community revitalization.
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Seattle, WA
Title: A Closer Look at Seattle's Weed and Seed Strategy
Target Areas: Central District and Southeast Seattle target areas
Number of Sites: 2
Publication Date: 6/1/2002
Focus:
To document activities and outcomes of the Weed and Seed strategy using readily
available data from various local sources.
Findings:
The pattern for reported crimes of violence, drugs and weapon possession were studied
for 1995-2000. These are target crimes for Weed and Seed and important quality of life
issues for distressed neighborhoods. Counts for these serious crimes are down in the
Weed and Seed sites. However, these crimes are also lower in the city as a whole.
A further examination of the same types of crime data answers the question whether the
general reduction in reported crime is expected or real by measuring the relative
percentage of crime in Seattle's Weed and Seed sites. This indicated that the Central
Weed and Seed site accounted disproportionately for about 17 percent of Seattle's serious
crime in 1994, but that in 2000 the area only accounted for about 12 percent of Seattle's
serious crime. Crime not only went down in the Central District; it went down faster than
the remainder of the city. This was not expected and is probably not explicable without
the intervention of Weed and Seed law enforcement and community programs.
The Southeast Weed and Seed site, in the South Precinct showed an initial proportional
improvement between 1997 and 1998 by dropping from about 12 to 10 percent of
Seattle's crime. Since then it has made no more progress than the remainder of the city.
But like the rise and then decline of proportional levels of crime in 1998 in the Central
District, things can improve after a setback. Weed and Seed is not a stagnate strategy.
When things start to slip, Weed and Seed police, planners, and community activists
recognize changes in crimes, adjust, and readdress the situation The small increase in
crime in 2000 in the Southeast Weed and Seed site, which the SPD reports is in part due
to displacement of crime from the Central District, is being met through the initiation of
new law enforcement and community organization initiatives.
A number of positive outcomes were reported for various seed activities and leveraging
of outside resources to support the Site's efforts.
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Wheeling, WV
Title: Program Evaluation of the O.N.E. Wheeling Weed and Seed
Target Areas: East Wheeling
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 11/1/2003
Focus:
This study conducted a process and impact evaluation of the East Wheeling weed and
seed site for the period of November, 1998 to November, 2002. Study methodology
consisted of gathering data from newspapers and related weed and seed activity reports,
conducting interviews with steering committee members and law enforcement as well as
community policing officers, data analysis of police crime reports, a focus group
interview with safe haven representatives, and a community impact survey.
Findings:
Results revealed multiple findings from the four targets areas of weed and seed
programming. Law enforcement was found to be the most important component of the
program with the most focus and money used. There was a 28% reduction in crime in
East Wheeling compared to only a decrease of 4% for the entire city of Wheeling.
Steering committee interviews revelaed an overall consesnus that the weeding aspect of
the program had been successful. The community impact survey showed that East
Wheeling residents were pleased with police efforts. In regards to community policing,
it was found that there has been an increase in confidence by site residents towards the
police and trust between them as well. A seeding impact was seen as moderate to low.
However, through multiple seeding programs, children were seen as a priority by East
Wheeling Weed and Seed. Neighborhood revitalization was seen as not meeting goals as
almost half of site residents believed that neigborhood condtions are worse or at least still
problematic. Recommendations were given that supported a more cohesive steering
committee, only one recognized safe haven, caution when choosing the site fiscal
manager, and a separate entity to support neighborhood revitalization.
There are a few notable problems with this study. First, in one part of the results, crime
data and community impact survey results in East Wheeling were compared to Wheeling
Island even though these two communites are dissimilar in regards to race and median
income. Thus, a comparison here must be taken with caution. Next, the reduction in
crime noted in East Wheeling must be taken with caution as well as there was an increase
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in crime in the neighboring community of Wheeling Island. There was also a low turnout
of steering committee interview respondents as only 11 out of the possible 29 were
interviewed.
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Madison, WI
Title: Safe Haven Program Evaluation (1996-97)
Target Areas: Madison target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 10/27/1997
Focus:
During the 1996-97 year, the focal year of this report, the evaluation had several
components:
1. A determination of a demographic profile of children who attended the Safe Haven
programs. Children who attended the programs were contrasted with (a) all other children
in their schools and (b) other children who resided in the target neighborhoods but did not
participate in the programs. The purpose of these comparisons was to ascertain if the Safe
Haven programs were successful in identifying and serving children who were at risk for
academic and social problems.
2. A limited examination of children's Safe Haven experiences. This included ratings of
the quality of the programs, a determination of how often the children actually attended
the programs, and how the children perceived the programs.
3. Tests of program effects on children's development. Five aspects of child adjustment
were investigated: academic grades, conduct grades, school absences, misconduct, and
conflict resolution strategies. We sought to determine if program attendance was
associated with these adjustment indices. We examined this issue across one-year and
two-year time periods.
Findings:
There were positive effects of participation in the Safe Haven programs on children's
school attendance, conduct, and conflict resolution strategies. One-year comparisons
between adjustment in May 1996 and in May 1997 revealed that children who
participated in the programs during the 1996-97 school year improved their attendance at
school and engaged in less misconduct compared to children who did not attend the
programs. Improvements in conflict resolution strategies also were found for Safe Haven
participants. Children who were enrolled in the programs increased their endorsement of
an avoidance strategy for dealing with peer conflicts.
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Positive effects of participation in the Safe Haven programs for a two-year period were
evident as well. Comparisons of adjustment in May 1995 and in May 1997 showed that
children who were enrolled in the programs during both the 1995-96 and 1996-97 school
years reduced their selection of overt aggression in response to hypothetical peer conflicts
and improved their attendance at school. Program children also evaluated an avoidance
strategy for dealing with peer conflicts more positively than non-program children did
following their participation in the programs.
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Milwaukee, WI
Title: Milwaukee Weed and Seed Program Evaluation
Target Areas: Avenues West/Metcalfe Park/Mid-Town target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 9/1/1997
Focus:
This study examined the impacts of the Milwaukee Weed and Seed Site in 1995-96.
Findings:
- Serious crime has decreased. The Milwaukee Weed and Seed Program has been a major
contributing factor in the overall reduction of crime in the targeted areas - especially
violent crime and drug and weapons offenses. Inasmuch as the decline was greater in the
Weed and Seed target areas than the comparison areas, this would indicate that the Weed
and Seed Program has been successful in its crime reduction strategy. The greatest
reduction in the level of criminal activity occurred in the Avenues West target area,
whereas the least improvement took place in Metcalfe Park.
- Residents feel safer. In all three Weed and Seed target areas, residents perceive that
their neighborhoods are safer since the start of the Weed and Seed Program in 1995. In
the two and a half years since Weed and Seed began in Milwaukee, the level of fear
expressed by target area residents has fallen significantly as has the percentage of
residents reporting criminal victimization to the survey team.
- Residents' attitudes toward police performance are more positive. A growing number of
people living in the target areas are finding favor with how Milwaukee police perform
their job. The opinions and attitudes of residents about police performance have grown
more positive in the last several years, especially regarding quality of life/community
policing activities. The commitment demonstrated by the Milwaukee Police Department
in using Weed and Seed funds to target drug houses and open air drug markets as well as
an array of nuisance ordinance violations has received strong support in all three areas.
- Weed and seed arrests remove a significant percentage of serious offenders. One in four
Weed and Seed arrests in 1995 and 1996 resulted in individuals being removed from the
community and placed via the courts in state prisons or state run, secure and/or juvenile
institutions. An additional twenty percent were removed and committed to the Milwaukee
County House of Correction.
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- Weed and Seed enhanced agency cooperation; the Milwaukee Police Department and
the State Department of Corrections have utilized the opportunity provided by the Weed
and Seed Program to work closely together, share information on probationers and
parolees, and enhance the overall safety of the target areas. The Milwaukee Police and
Federal law enforcement agencies have implemented successful initiatives targeting drug
dealers.
- A key feature and innovative aspect of the seeding portion of Milwaukee's Weed and
Seed Program has been the work of project staff known as Community Liaisons. The
work of three Community liaisons is having a positive impact on the three targeted areas
that they serve. Their door-to-door communication efforts and their efforts to build
neighborhood strategies have gained community approval and support for this approach
to strengthening neighborhood resistance to crime. Milwaukee's innovative Weed and
Seed Community Liaisons provide a key communication link to and from residents.
The Milwaukee Weed and Seed Program has demonstrated the value of its strategy of
"weeding out" violent crime and gang activity and improving the quality of life in the
targeted areas. Challenges remain, however, and crime is still a problem in the target
neighborhoods. The groundwork for continuing the Weed and Seed Program has been
completed, and plans for a sustained source of funding need to be pursued. Finally, given
the diverse nature of the Weed and Seed target areas, the Milwaukee Weed and Seed
approach is replicable and provides a model for developing an anti-crime strategy in
other areas of Milwaukee.
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Milwaukee, WI
Title: A Closer Look at Milwaukee Weed and Seed
Target Areas: Avenues West/Metcalfe Park/Mid-Town target area
Number of Sites: 3
Publication Date: 3/22/2000
Focus:
To document activities and outcomes of the Weed and Seed strategy using readily
available data from various local sources.
Findings:
Serious Crime has Decreased - One year after the initiation of Weed and Seed in three
Milwaukee neighborhoods, violent and weapon crimes decreased by almost 50 percent.
In 1995, almost 900 arrests involved a violent and/or a weapon violation. One year later it
was reduced to about 450. Each of the three neighborhoods realized a substantial
decrease in violent crime.
Compared to Surrounding Neighborhoods -- Crime Was Lower Than Expected - The
evaluation shows that arrests for violent, weapon, drugs and violation of probation in
surrounding comparison group neighborhoods increase slightly, while at the same time
the number of arrests for the same crimes decreased in the Weed and Seed neighborhoods
by about 21 percent. While there is still a lot of crime in the Weed and Seed
neighborhoods, the greatest success has been a reduction in the most serious and
dangerous crimes.
Residents Feel Safer - Based on randomly selected respondents, neighborhood residents
were favorably affected by the impact of the Milwaukee Weed and Seed programs.
Before Weed and Seed between 50 and 65 percent of the residents feared that they would
be a victim of a serious crime. In 1996, although still high, this "fear rate" had decreased
to about 45 percent for neighborhood residents.
Attitudes of the Police Starts to Become More Positive - The surveys also indicated that
residents were significantly more aware of increased police presence. The: pre - post
surveys also show a 10 to 20 percentage point increase - now over half - of the residents
feel that "the police department has done a good job in making me feel safe in this area."
Likewise, survey results show a very favorable response to the work of the community
liaisons. Most residents were impressed with the helpfulness and knowledge of the "new"
community workers. Still residents want more police protection.
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The Youth Crime and Violence Task Force has continued Milwaukee's interest of
measuring the degree of success for the Safe and Sound project. They want to know
"How much better are we doing?" They are aware of the magnitude of their current
undertaking as compared to the three neighborhood Weed and Seed program. Therefore
they are investing in an ongoing evaluation with Marquette University that measures both
performance for each program area and specific outcomes. The "bottom-line"
measurement is the anticipated decrease in crime rates in each neighborhood. Social
order, improved educational and life decisions (e.g. drug use, teenage pregnancy, and self
sustaining employment) are not expected to occur in an environment of disorder marked
by violence, gangs, and illicit drug marketing.
File contents
Acknowledgements
777 North Capitol St., NE, Suite 801
Washington, DC 20002-4239
(202) 842-9330 - phone
(202) 842-9329 - fax
cjinfo@jrsa.org - email
jrsa.org - Web site
This document was supported by Grant No. 2003-WS-QX-0702 awarded by the
Executive Office for Weed and Seed, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of
Justice. Points of view in this document are those of the authors and do not necessarily
represent the official position or policies of the U.S. Department of Justice.
Introduction and Executive Summary ................................................................................ 2
Summaries of Individual Evaluations................................................................................. 6
Hartford, CT.................................................................................................................... 8
New Britain, CT.............................................................................................................. 9
Wilmington, DE............................................................................................................ 11
Wilmington, DE............................................................................................................ 12
Ocala, FL....................................................................................................................... 13
Sarasota, FL .................................................................................................................. 14
Savannah, GA ............................................................................................................... 15
Honolulu, HI ................................................................................................................. 17
Des Moines, IA ............................................................................................................. 19
Shreveport, LA.............................................................................................................. 21
Baltimore, MD .............................................................................................................. 22
Woburn, MA ................................................................................................................. 23
Grand Rapids, MI.......................................................................................................... 24
Kansas City, MO........................................................................................................... 26
Las Vegas, NV .............................................................................................................. 28
Reno, NV ...................................................................................................................... 29
Atlantic City, NJ ........................................................................................................... 31
Albuquerque, NM ......................................................................................................... 32
Akron, OH..................................................................................................................... 33
Youngstown, OH .......................................................................................................... 34
Oklahoma City, OK ...................................................................................................... 36
Philadelphia, PA ........................................................................................................... 38
Pittsburgh, PA ............................................................................................................... 40
Pittsburgh, PA ............................................................................................................... 41
Houston, TX.................................................................................................................. 42
Salt Lake City, UT ........................................................................................................ 43
State of Virginia............................................................................................................ 44
Seattle, WA ................................................................................................................... 45
Seattle, WA ................................................................................................................... 46
Wheeling, WV .............................................................................................................. 47
Madison, WI ................................................................................................................. 49
Milwaukee, WI ............................................................................................................. 51
Milwaukee, WI ............................................................................................................. 53
The Executive Office for Weed and Seed (EOWS) has distributed millions of dollars in
Federal support to distressed communities throughout the United States since 1991. With
a mission that focuses crime intervention and prevention efforts into some of the nation's
most crime ridden areas, Weed and Seed has a large stake in assuring programmatic
effectiveness. At it's most dramatic, the effectiveness of Weed and Seed programs can be
a matter of life and death - by eliminating crime and disorder, including elimination of
the drug trade and attendant violence, violent crime, gang activity, and homicide.
It is at this most basic level - life and death - that EOWS has developed an annual
measure of effectiveness. Through reporting for the Government Performance and
Results Act (GPRA), Weed and Seed sites report trends in homicide for both their target
area, and for the encompassing jurisdiction. No program of this size should rely on only
one measure of effectiveness, however and over the years, EOWS has actively pursued
multiple approaches for developing evaluation information on the effectiveness and
promise of the Weed and Seed strategy. This has included nationally directed evaluation
efforts as well as locally initiated studies.
Other recent national efforts include a crime pattern data collection project that solicits
crime data from grantees for crimes that are the priority of an individual site. Collected
for a six year period, which includes statistics preceding project implementation and for
several years afterwards, this data will help show the degree to which grantees impact
those crimes that are their communities’ major concerns as identified in their Weed and
Seed strategies. The Performance Indicators project, also currently underway, relies on
geo-spatial analysis to shed light on program effectiveness.
EOWS encourages local evaluation efforts in addition to these national efforts, providing
resources and technical assistance for sites to conduct proper evaluations. Some of the
fruit of these efforts is presented in this summary of local Weed and Seed evaluation.
Though of varying degrees of complexity and with findings that are not universal, these
studies add to the body of work developed to explore the effectiveness of the Weed and
Seed strategy at both the local and national level. Because of the wide scope of many
local Weed and Seed strategies, it is often not feasible with the available resources to
examine all aspects of a local site’s activities to the same depth. Consequently, some
variations across these studies are due to the specific focus of individual investigators.
This meta analysis reviews and summarizes:
studies apiece
As previously stated, these evaluations have been conducted for both local use and
national level assessments and as such lose some of their comparability. All these
studies, however, attempt to determine the effect of Weed and Seed efforts on local
communities.
Overall, the evaluations have generally found significant improvements in community
crime conditions, residents’ attitudes were positive regarding changes occurring in the
target areas, and increased interagency coordination and cooperation through
participation in the Weed and Seed strategy. Because local sites may be addressing a
broad range of crime, social, educational, housing, and economic development issues,
their progress can be affected by many organizational development concerns, institutional
barriers, and funding limits that less comprehensive efforts do not contend with. Several
studies have noted instances where such difficulties may have prevented or delayed full
implementation of planned strategies. Despite the challenges of this complexity, local
sites can often show substantial progress in some objectives while making inroads in
others.
Some of the more noteworthy observations for individual sites include:
perceptions of other city services (Hartford, CT)
from 1997 through 2000 (Honolulu, HI)
conflicts, as compared to a control group (Madison, WI)
efforts. Though not all programs show positive effects attributable to Weed and Seed
activities, the value of including such local efforts into the tapestry of Weed and Seed
assessments is high. EOWS will continue to work with local sites in encouraging
detailed and thorough analyses of individual Weed and Seed efforts.
Title: Weeding and Seeding Troubled Communities: A Process and Impact Assessment
of the San Diego Weed and Seed Site
Target Areas: San Diego Target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 7/1/1997
Focus:
This report presents the study findings from the process and impact assessment of the
Weed and Seed project operated within the City of San Diego. Though the resources
available for the research effort were limited, the San Diego experience, as revealed in
this report, provides valuable information for future efforts to positively impact distressed
and crime-ridden communities, both locally and across the nation.
Findings:
The specific impact of the Weed and Seed Initiative on the target community was
difficult to document through the available data. It was difficult to associate changes
occurring during the Weed and Seed project with actual program activities and outcomes.
However, the program did focus on a community in need based on sociodemographic
data and crime measures. Findings supporting the positive influence of the Initiative
include the following.
- Overall, crime declined based on calls for service, reported crime, and arrest data, and
there was no evidence of crime displacement into the surrounding community.
- The response of the justice system to criminal activity in the area became more
aggressive after the implementation of the Weed and Seed project.
- Target area residents and merchants reported positive ratings of the police through
interviews and surveys.
- Many Weed and Seed strategies were consistent with the needs of the community (e.g.,
more officers on the street, improvement of police-community relations).
The following study results suggest areas for improvement as Weed and Seed efforts, or
similar programs, continue to address troubled communities.
- Several areas within the target site continue to be crime ridden.
- The majority of probation revocations for probationers residing within the target area
were the result of individuals failing to report to their probation officer and disappearing
sentence), suggesting a need for more aggressive follow-up with individuals under
community supervision to prevent absconding.
- Based on interviews with residents and surveys of local merchants, less than half of the
community viewed the area as desirable. Slightly less than a quarter (23%) of residents
and 40 percent of merchants rated their community. as a good place to live or conduct
business. Over half noted that this rating remained unchanged compared to one year
earlier.
- The specific problems in the target area requiring attention varied across groups (i.e.,
residents, merchants, and law enforcement officers). For residents and police, drug-
related crime was the most frequently cited problem, while merchants noted graffiti most
often. However, all three groups agreed that gang activity was a problem for the
community.
- Reporting of victimization, according to resident interviews, was below actual
occurrence levels. Further, opportunity for participation in problem solving with police
was curtailed by time constraints and child care issues.
- Education measures (i.e., scholastic test scores, truancy, and school drop-outs) remained
relatively unchanged.
- Based on the number of new businesses and jobs emerging in the Weed and Seed area
over time, the business climate did not seem to be impacted by the Initiative.
- There was a lack of consensus among program participants (i.e., Executive Steering
Committee and Neighborhood Council) regarding the methods for achieving program
goals and decision-making authority.
Title: National Evaluation of Weed and Seed - Hartford Case Study
Target Areas: Stowe Village target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 7/1/1999
Focus:
This case study documents the activities implemented under the Weed and Seed Program
in Hartford and assesses the program's impact at this site. The activities undertaken for
this case study: (1) on-site observation of program activities; (2) in-person interviews
with program staff; (3) review of program documents; (4) a survey of target area
residents; and (5) analysis of computerized crime and arrest records provided by the local
police department.
Findings:
Survey analysis shows statistically significant improvements in citizens' perceptions of
their neighborhood, in police responsiveness, in community involvement, and in
perceptions of other city services. In this respect, the findings of the survey analysis and
the crime statistics analysis--both point to an overall improvement in the quality of life in
Stowe Village Weed and Seed Site. Participant interviews also confirm positive effects
of Weed and Seed strategy in the target area.
Title: Final Report of the Evaluation of the New Britain Weed and Seed Program
Target Areas: New Britain
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 6/22/1999
Focus:
The primary purposes of this study were to determine if the New Britain Weed and Seed
site was consistent with the vision of the Executive Office for Weed and Seed and to
identify the effects of site programming. This evalution covered the first two years of
program implementaion and focused on four areas; steering committee, weeding, and
seeding activities as well as budget allocation. Data collection measures included
steering committee observations and interviews, interviews with program implementation
staff, and a review of the program budget. Police data (calls for service, drug calls for
service, number of personal crimes, and property felonies) was analyzed and a
comparison was made between this data for the site area and the rest of New Britain for
the years 1993-1998 that enabled crime trends to be examined before and after program
inception.
Findings:
Results first provided a description of the weeding and seeding program activities.
Notable weeding activities consisted of the gun abatement program which targeted drug
dealers and illegal weapons through increased police presence in gun crime "hot spots"
and the Community Action Team that stepped up police patrols to reduce open air drug
markets and minor violations. The MARCH (Multi-Agency Response to Community
Hot Spots) program was provided assistance by the weed and seed program to provide
government inspections of local businesses. Seeding strategies consisted of a coalition
between police, public, and private agencies to strengthen the site with numerous social,
economic, and housing improvement progams. The weed and seed program also
established funding for neighborhood revitalization as well as adult and youth
programming. The analysis of police data noted two major findings after program
inception; there were significant differences in regards to calls for service and drug calls
for servcie between the weed and seed site and the rest of the city. There was found to be
an increase in calls for service within the weed and seed site for the first year of the
program with a decrease in the second year. The report concluded that the increase was
due to the success of community policing, as site residents felt more comfortable in
calling the police to report crimes, and the increased police presence of the weeding
strategies. The decrease the next year was attributed to the actual reduction in crime
in drug calls for service in the first year of program implementation. Multiple program
recommendations concluded the evaluation.
There were a couple study limitations noted by the authors. First, due to a lack of
resources, there was no resident survey which would have given a perspective on the
quality of resident life. Next, the timing of the evaluation limited the ability to make pre-
post comparisons of program effects as the evaluation was conducted two years after the
program beginning. A number of staff that were around during program inception were
not available for comment which resulted in current key players having to think back
retrospectively. This threatened the accuracy of information about site programming.
Title: Evaluation of Operation Weed and Seed in Wilmington, DE
Target Areas: Westside/Hilltop, West Center City, and Browntown/Hedgeville target
area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 9/1/1999
Focus:
This report was one in a series of annual evaluations of the Wilmington Weed and Seed
Site conducted since 1993. These studies provide a longitudinal analyses of both crime
trends in the targeted area as well as changing perceptions and attitudes about Operation
Weed and Seed and community policing in Wilmington.
Findings:
During 1997, little change in drug activity was shown over the preceding year. However,
in 1998 there were positive signs of improvement in some offense categories (i.e. robbery
and assault) and shootings which had been a major problem for the area in recent years
had shown a significant decrease.
Resolution of the City's budgetary problems meant that the police department would be
fully staffed shortly and other organizational changes for managing the seeding activities
indicated that there was a more promising situation for addressing the Site's persistent
crime and deteriorated neighborhood conditions than in the preceding five years.
Title: City of Wilmington Operation Weed and Seed 1992 to 1996: An Evaluation
Target Areas: Westside/Hilltop, West Center City, and Browntown/Hedgeville target
area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 3/1/1998
Focus:
While mainly analyzing crime issues, this report summarizes the activities and impacts of
Operation Weed and Seed in Wilmington from 1992 to 1996.
Findings:
Despite some substantial gains in reducing drug crime activity and stabilizing the overall
community conditions in the target area during the first two years of operation, the Site
experienced a severe setback in 1994 when budgetary problems caused the local
government to cutback law enforcement personnel not only to it but city-wide as well.
Combined with a reduction in the amount of Federal resources and a resurgence of drug
traffickers from outside the community and the state, crime quickly reverted to its pre-
Weed and Seed levels.
The restoration of some community policing resources and assistance from county, state,
and Federal law enforcement agencies contributed to a gradual return by 1996 to close to
the early Weed and Seed crime control achievements. However, it was difficult to re-
establish trust with residents and rebuild the community infrastructure that was lost in the
interim. This highlights the importance of maintaining a sustained commitment for a
Weed and Seed effort beyond a few years. Otherwise, credibility with the residents is
lost and vital momentum may not be recoverable when renewed efforts are made.
The Site's seeding efforts were not as strong as its weeding activities. When the
community policing resources were cut, many of the positive conditions that would have
promoted neighborhood revitalization were lost as well.
Title: City of Ocala Weed & Seed Evaluation Final Report August 1999
Target Areas:
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 8/1/1999
Focus:
The purpose of the evaluation is to determine; 1) the extent to which the Weed and Seed
program in Ocala has been effective in meeting the goals for the program and the
objectives for each component, and 2) the degree to which the identified strategies have
been implemented and the relationship of these strategies to the program's outcomes.
Findings:
Utilizing stakeholder interviews, door-to-door surveys, and publicly available data. Data
shows a decline in the target are for Total Index Offenses, violent crime, property crime
from 1994 to 1997, and the percentage decline for the Weed and Seed target area is
greater than similar declines in the City of Ocala as a whole, Marion County, and the
state of Florida. Drug arrests, on the other hand, more than doubled at a time when drug
arrests in the city, county and state were declining.
Title: National Evaluation of Weed and Seed - Manatee/Sarasota Case Study
Target Areas: North and South Manatee target areas
Number of Sites: 2
Publication Date: 7/1/1999
Focus:
This case study documents the activities implemented under the Weed and Seed Program
in Manatee/Sarasota and assesses the program's impact at this site. The activities
undertaken for this case study: (1) on-site observation of program activities; (2) in-person
interviews with program staff; (3) review of program documents; (4) a survey of target
area residents; and (5) analysis of computerized crime and arrest records provided by the
local police department.
Findings:
The authors caution that any perceived changes in crime trends and citizen opinions on
public safety may not be solely due to implementation of the Weed and Seed strategy.
Nevertheless, improved trends in crime data in the two target areas relative to the rest of
the county were observed. The resident survey results were mixed with some
improvements in residents' sense of safety and satisfaction with police shown but other
indicators did not change or observed differences could be the result of measurement
issues.
Title: Savannah's Weed and Seed Program Evaluation
Target Areas: Northeast Savannah target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 8/1/2000
Focus:
The evaluation examines the effectiveness of select "weed" side components of
Savannah’s Weed and Seed program in 1999, by analyzing data gathered from the target
area residents and interviewing police line officers as well as supervisory and
management personnel with responsibilities in Weed and Seed neighborhoods. Other
methods include Weed and Seed committee meeting minutes and quarterly reports; and,
from crime data bases aggregated by both target area and city-wide crime incident data.
Findings:
By any measure, the analysis of crime data in the target area for the four-year period
shows that Weed and Seed neighborhoods are still severely over-represented by violence,
drugs, public nuisances, and simple assaults. In sum, the frequency of crime over the life
of the Weed and Seed project has changed little.
What to make of these findings? From its inception, annual federal funding for the
Savannah Weed and Seed Project declined 72 percent (from $790,000 to $225,000). As a
result, police staffing levels in the target area dropped. Indeed, a difficulty in surveying
police for this study was in finding personnel still assigned to the target area. As funding
decreased, interest in the project waned. Management reassigned officers to other areas
and other duties demanding their urgent attention.
Despite the funding decline, target area residents’ favorable perceptions of the quality of
police services persisted and, on some items, actually increased from 1997 to 1999. This
was the case in spite of the prevailing opinion that inter-agency cooperation and
collaboration could have been better, particularly between SPD and CNT officers.
Paradoxically, as funding decreased, officer opinions about the adequacy of resources to
implement the program did not change. Officers of one agency believed, on the whole,
that staffing, equipment, and materiel were adequate to the task. Another agency’s
officers consistently maintained that the resources were sparse and the management of
those resources deficient.
incidence of violent crime, drug trafficking, public nuisances, and simple assaults in the
target area remained fairly steady from 1996 through 1999. In short, there was neither a
reduction of crime inside the target area nor displacement of crime to areas outside the
Weed and Seed neighborhoods. At the same time, residents’ perceptions of neighborhood
safety in the target area remained unchanged--as did their view that the only way to get
things done about crime and drugs in the neighborhood was for the residents to help
themselves.
Title: Weed and Seed Evaluation: Honolulu, Hawaii, Site I, Kalihi-Palama-Chinatown
Target Areas: Kalihi-Palama-Chinatown
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 12/1/2002
Focus:
This study of the Kalihi-Palama-Chinatown site in Honolulu incorporated a multi-faceted
evaluation design that consisted of several data collection measures. Such measures
included observations plus resident, business, and Weed and Seed Executive Commitee
surveys and interviews conducted with local vendors, law enforcement, the courts,
residents, weed and seed staff, business owners, and other partners. An analysis of crime
data and weed and seed meeting minutes, records, and documents was undertaken as
well.
Findings:
Project findings were broken down into the four main components of weed and seed
programming: (1) law enforcement, (2) community policing, (3) intervention, prevention,
and treatment, and (4) neighborhood restoration and economic development. The law
enforcement component was seen by many as a dramatic success due to a consistent
commitment by agenices along with highly visible actions. Drug offenses within the site
were reduced by half from 1997 to 2001 and part I and part II crimes within the site area
were reduced by 75.5% and 69.5% between 1997 and 2000. The Weed and Seed court,
the federal prosecution of drug dealers, and georaphic restriction imposed for site
offenders were a few highlights of law enforcement programming. Results also indicated
that site residents feel safer since weed and seed implementation amid concerns about the
displacement of crime. Community policing initiatives were noted with the increased
support of citizen patrols that were deemed to have a positive impact but also a need to
sustain participation over the long term. The resident survey revealed that more than half
of the residents felt that police responsiveness to community concerns was above
satisfactory. A substantial amount of residents also saw a visible level of interaction
between police and the community at neighborhood events. Overall, "Seeding" programs
(componenets 3 and 4) were seen to make progress but with a recent decrease in
participation. Successful program impementation of "Seeding" activities was seen as
much more diffcult compared to strategies of "Weeding". Intervention, prevention, and
treatment programming teamed with community policing efforts to establish safe havens
where multiple services were provided; academic tutoring, computer classes, anti-drug
education, community projects, health screening, mentoring, and recrerational
the Needle Van initiative that helped curb the spread of HIV/AIDS, though, meeting the
needs of the homeless was found to be challenging. According to the results,
neighborhood restoration and economic development programming face a daunting task
in meeting their goals in the midst of several economic factors. However, the site
participated in multiple partner initiatives that included community cleanups, playground
renovation and construction, enterprsie zone designation, loans for business development,
multiple funding sources aimed at community development, and business training and
education programs. Findings revealed a great amount of resources but a lack of a clear
vision for an economic turnaround. Results concluded with several recommendations for
the site pertaining to inter-organizational, administrative, and operational strategies.
This was a very thorough study of the site using multiple tools of data collection. One
problem was found in the residential survey where the response rate was 15.2%.
Title: Des Moines Weed and Seed Evaluation Statistical Analysis Center Partnership
Project
Target Areas: Des Moines target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 6/30/1999
Focus:
The Des Moines Weed and Seed evaluation examined the history and evolution of the
Des Moines Weed and Seed site and analyzed current resources and needs in the
community, with particular attention to the Safe Haven component of the strategy. This
report summarizes the information gathered and includes recommendations for ongoing
planning and implementation by the Des Moines Weed and Seed site to strengthen the
project.
Findings:
In general, the Des Moines Weed and Seed site has followed its strategic plan fairly
closely over the first few years of implementation. While some specific tasks discussed
in the original plan submitted in 1995 have not been carried out and others added as
funding, needs and priorities changed, the overall direction of the effort has remained the
same.
An analysis of data available from the DMPD reveals that crime decreased significantly
in the target area from 1994 to 1997. This decrease is likely the result of a combination
of factors, with the Weed and Seed efforts among them.
The Safe Haven element of the plan has added value to the target area, according to
several people interviewed for this evaluation. The Weed and Seed initiative has
leveraged its limited resources in several ways. Weed and Seed funds are often used to
supplement other funding streams, and are infrequently the sole source of funding for a
program. By building on existing programs and partnering with other organizations, the
Weed and Seed funds have been stretched to provide a wide variety of services and
opportunities, such as arts programming, job training, and educational services, that
would otherwise be very limited, if present at all, in the target area.
While there appears to be a general perception that conditions have improved in the Des
Moines Weed and Seed target area and that the combination of various initiatives have
had positive results, most also agree that more needs to be done. As discussed above,
opportunities that provide leadership experience and decision-making responsibilities for
youth are needed. Ongoing and even greater coordination among the multiple service
providers is also essential.
It is also important that the strategies being supported be of sufficient intensity and
duration to have an impact. While there is a tendency to respond to the most pressing,
immediate needs in the community, that may lead to inconsistency and ineffectiveness in
the long-term. Continuing to build the capacity of the Safe Haven, and sustaining quality
programming over time should produce better results.
Title: National Evaluation of Weed and Seed - Shreveport Case Study
Target Areas: Highland/Stoner Hill target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 7/1/1999
Focus:
This case study documents the activities implemented under the Weed and Seed Program
in Shreveport and assesses the program's impact at this site. The activities undertaken for
this case study: (1) on-site observation of program activities; (2) in-person interviews
with program staff; (3) review of program documents; (4) a survey of target area
residents; and (5) analysis of computerized crime and arrest records provided by the local
police department.
Findings:
Despite some project startup problems that mostly delayed the "seeding" activities and
affected the Site's general management, the Site was able to establish itself. However,
both the U.S. Attorney and local District Attorney's Offices declined to place any
emphasis or additional resources on prosecuting cases resulting from the Site's 'Weeding"
activities.
These initial difficulties did not prevent the Site from producing some positive results.
The analysis of crime data showed an improved trend in the target area, even when crime
started increasing in the rest of the city. The modest investment of resources by Weed
and Seed was also found to play an important role in mobilizing and facilitating the
existing community organizations and public agencies in addressing the target area's
problems. The resident survey reported improved perceptions of police control over
street drug activities, satisfaction with neighborhood programs, and participation in anti-
crime and community revitalization activities. Perceptions of safety and overall
neighborhood satisfaction indicate that even with these improvements, there is still much
to be done in the target area before it can be called a healthy, restored community.
Title: Evaluation of West Baltimore Weed and Seed
Target Areas: West Baltimore target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 8/1/2000
Focus:
This report summarizes the activities of the West Baltimore Weed and Seed steering
committee. It addresses the problems that the steering committee encountered throughout
their development and reviews the positive moves the group made towards achieving the
established weed and seed goals. Additionally, residents' perceptions of the
neighborhood are summarized.
Findings:
Due to various organizational and startup problems with the Site, the researchers were
unable to perform much of the originally planned evaluation tasks. The following are
their major observations:
- The position of project director should be filled as close to the beginning of the project
as possible. Additionally, this position should be funded as a full-time position.
- Training should be made available for all steering committee members so that group
dynamics, delegation of authority, and efficient means of decision-making can be
understood completely.
- Programming needs should be prioritized, and the opening of the Safe Haven should
receive high priority.
- Efforts should be made to publicize the Weed and Seed efforts and programs.
Title: Analysis of Police Activity and Programming in the Woburn, MA Weed and Seed
Area
Target Areas: Woburn target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 9/1/1999
Focus:
The goal of the evaluation was to provide a product that the Woburn Weed and Seed site
could use to further their work and also provide research that will be helpful for the Weed
and Seed program as a whole by discussing the dynamics of arrest and calls for service
mapping. In conducting this evaluation, the Massachusetts SAC analyzed and mapped
data detailing police calls for service.
Findings:
As the city of Woburn approaches its fourth year of Weed and Seed funding, a
preliminary review of the program operation has found the involved agencies have
implemented the program as initially designed. Weed and Seed continues to operate as an
umbrella program, under which multiple initiatives target a population containing various
needs and issues. Although this study had identified the volume of seeding activities
currently operating in the City, a closer examination of these initiatives would be
beneficial in determining the impact they have had on the city’s residents.
The Statistical Analysis Center anticipates the identification of hot spots will be useful to
the Woburn Weed and Seed administrators in highlighting areas that might need
additional resources, and may also provide indications of possible crime displacement. In
planning for this study, it was initially hypothesized that calls for service would increase
as the community becomes more involved with the idea of helping the police to solve
problems and their confidence and belief in their efforts increases. As demonstrated in
this report, an interesting trend was experienced in Weed and Seed Area: calls decreased
slightly (1%) in 1996 over 1995, then increased 4% in 1997, and again decreased (2%) in
1998 to reach the same call volume experienced in 1995. What is more interesting to
examine are the changes that have occurred over time within the different Weed and Seed
areas. The emergence of robbery incidents where they were previously never executed,
and the significant decrease in disturbance calls are a few examples of where police can
gain insight into their community’s crime problems. Overall, crime in Woburn has
decreased consistently over the four-year period. Whether this trend can be attributed to
the weeding of criminals off the city streets or the seeding of programs for residents
in need of services, is a topic that warrants further study.
Title: Evaluation of the Westside Operation Weed and Seed Truancy Initiative
Target Areas: Westside Grand Rapids target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 12/1/2000
Focus:
This report presents the findings of an assessment of the truancy initiative. Researchers
attended numerous meetings of the Weed and Seed truancy committee in an effort to
identify issues raised by program developers and key stakeholders. Interviews were
conducted with program administrators and primary service providers. Data on each
student involved in the program were obtained from Grand Rapids Public Schools. In
addition, school data were matched with data received from agencies providing services
to the families of identified truants. This data were analyzed in an effort to assess
intervention effectiveness.
Findings:
The results of this evaluation illustrate significant progress in reducing elementary
truancy. Following the first two interventions (receiving a letter and being visited by the
attendance officer), absenteeism decreased for students in the program. The program was
most successful for chronic truants, or youth who missed twenty percent or more of total
school days prior to the initial letter. When the chronic truancy group was isolated from
those who missed less than twenty percent, absenteeism was reduced by 50%.
Program implementation closely corresponded with the model that was initially
developed, however deviations were observed at several stages, including truancy
identification, the referrals process, interagency communication, and information sharing.
There are several implications of the findings of this evaluation. First, it appears that
significant improvement can be made with chronic truants using this model.
Concentrating efforts on this population would enhance the program's success and
streamline the process for school officials with limited resources. At the same time,
students with less serious attendance problems might be better served by a different type
of program. Second, the importance of a program coordinator to oversee the initiative
cannot be overstated. A coordinator could work with all stakeholders and assure that the
model is being implemented as it was designed. Third, active participation by the Grand
Rapids Public Schools Research and Evaluation Unit is critical for resolving data
collection and information sharing concerns.
several community agencies toward a common goal. Multifaceted issues, such as truancy,
cannot be effectively managed by any singular agency. Through a collaborative
approach, the primary goal of reducing truancy in the target area was achieved, especially
for chronic truants. At the same time, several other important projects resulted from this
partnership. A network was developed between many community resources that may
foster continued coordination in the future. The program also illustrates the challenges of
a collaborative effort, which can inform future efforts in other school districts. Overall,
this program has shown that a coordinated community response can prove successful if
carefully developed and strictly implemented.
Title: Weed and Seed Evaluation: Westside Expansion Site
Target Areas: Westside Expansion target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 3/1/1997
Focus:
This study examined the overall impact of the Westside expansion Site. Crime statistics
were provided by the Kansas City Police Department. The Boys and Girls Club provided
information about their programs. Residents' opinions were obtained during telephone
interviews conducted with a random sample of 200 community residents. The sample
size had a confidence level of 95% confidence, with a precision of +/- 7%. The purpose
of the survey was to obtain opinions from residents in the Westside area about changes
within their neighborhoods during the year the Weed and Seed Program was in effect.
These opinions were used to help assess how well the program achieved its goals.
Findings:
The Weed and Seed Program was successful based on both quantitative crime data, youth
participation in Boys and Girls Clubs activities and resident perceptions about changes in
their neighborhood during the year July 1995 through June 1996.
Unlike property crime, which was immediately effected by the Weed and Seed Program,
violent crime took longer to effect. One of the reasons for the lagged reduction in violent
crime as compared to the reduction in property crime could be that reductions in violent
crime require more than just increased policing. The increased number of police patrols
in the area probably represented an immediate deterrent to property crimes. Over time,
the increased level of policing combined with community participation may have
changed attitudes and the culture in the neighborhood enough that violent crime levels
began to decline a year after the program was implemented.
Of the hundreds of children who participated in the SMART program at the West Bluff
and Oak Park Clubs, 558 completed a survey at the end of their participation. The survey
assessed the impact the program had on the child's attitudes toward drug and alcohol
abuse. The detailed results are shown in a later section of this report. For each of the 24
items, a large majority of the children responded that their attitudes had improved. For
example,
66% Reported that their attitude toward tobacco had improved.
74% Reported that their attitude toward the use of illegal drugs had improved.
63% Either agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that their attitude toward their
community had improved.
79% Either agreed or strongly agreed with the statement that their attitude toward adults
had improved.
The resident survey found perceptions that community conditions had improved for
concerns such as public disorder, "dope houses", "gang activities", and the physical
appearance of the neighborhood.
Title: National Evaluation of Weed and Seed - Las Vegas Case Study
Target Areas: West Las Vegas and Meadows Village target areas
Number of Sites: 2
Publication Date: 7/1/1999
Focus:
This case study documents the activities implemented under the Weed and Seed Program
in Las Vegas and assesses the program's impact at this site. The activities undertaken for
this case study: (1) on-site observation of program activities; (2) in-person interviews
with program staff; (3) review of program documents; (4) a survey of target area
residents; and (5) analysis of computerized crime and arrest records provided by the local
police department.
Findings:
Both police data and survey for the West Las Vegas target area indicate some reduction
in Part I crimes (relative to the rest of the city) and improved perception of public safety
and police responsiveness. The Meadows Village target area did not show a similar
reduction in crime. The study authors suggest that the latter area's characteristics make it
more difficult to effect significant change. In both target areas, program participants
have reported improvements in their quality of life, in terms of newfound personal
efficacy and increased social capital. These outcomes can be seen most clearly in
improved life skills, language proficiency, and job readiness.
Organizational and fiscal management problems experienced by the Site led to
recommendations for greater Federal oversight and technical support.
Title: Evaluation Report of the Northeast Reno Weed and Seed Strategy (1999-2001)
Target Areas: Northeast Reno
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 4/1/2002
Focus:
This study was a process evaluation that focused on the site's decision-making processes
and nature of organizational relationships as well as perceptions of the various programs
offered through weed and seed. Research methodology consisted of email, telephone, or
mail surveys of steering committee members, "persons of contact" of partner
organizations, program participants, and site residents along with an interview of the site
coordiantor and observations of steering committee meetings.
Findings:
The survey of the steering committee revealed that the committee had oversight and
representation responsibilities along with high expectations for programming and an
understanding of the general purpose of the weed and seed strategy. A major challenge of
the committee was to sustain the interest and commitment of members. Recently, the
committee has become more active in weed and seed programming and has started to
more clearly define its role. Respondents noted that the biggest success of the weed and
seed campaign were the programs implemented in the community. The biggest
challenges facing the overall strategy was reported as the inability to get program
recognition in the community. The committee also noted that there was conflict between
them and their fiscal agent (Community Services Agency) due to differing goals,
interests, and assets. Committee recommendations for change included increasing the
community awareness of the strategy, increasing community program participation, and
insuring that community programs have a lasting and positve effect. The site coordinator
interview revealed that major challenges to her position and the weed and seed strategy
include getting the steering committee to make decisions and increasing resident
participation in programs. Notable success, according to the site coordinator, included
multiple community programs and the site's relationship with the police department. The
site coordiantor also revealed that the biggest challenge in administering program
strategy lies in the conflict between the steering committee and the fiscal agent as they
differ on who is the decision making body of the strategy. In regards to change, the site
coordinator hopes to have a new fiscal agent and increased community participation in
programs. Observations and interactions with the site coordinator show that she is the
driving force behind the program. It is also concluded that the strain caused from the
success in its initiatives. Participants of community based programs related to
prevention, intervention, and treatment as well as neighborhood restoration provided
positive feedback about these programs. Workshops on entrepreneurial skills, computer
skills, leadership skills, and carrer skills along with community service programming
were described as increasing self-esteem and self-confidence as well as educational with
particpants eager to attend more programming. Two major recommendations of the
study request that the weed and seed strategy increase public awareness about
programming and resolve the conflict between the steering committee and the
Community Services Agency (fiscal agent).
Major problems with the study consisted of a low turnout of respondents for the multiple
surveys that were conducted. Only 32% of the steering committee responded to their
survey. A number of contacts from partner agencies were unable to be contacted, most
notably the Community Service Agency workers who are an instrumental part in the
strategy. A phone and mail survey of program participants yielded a 29% response rate.
Also, there was only a slight mentioning of the resident survey results in the report which
could have provided more insight about the success of program implementation.
Title: Weed and Seed Program Evaluation
Target Areas: Atlantic City target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 9/1/2000
Focus:
Atlantic City Weed and Seed completed a formal evaluation of the achievement of
project goals and objectives from January 1999 to September 2000. Outcome measures
included juvenile and adult crime statistics and Safe Haven-related data.
Findings:
Of 17 measures, objectives were met in 12 and not met in 5. Evaluation outcomes
provided programmatic direction in terms of strengths and weaknesses of existing
strategies and the need to modify strategies to increase effectiveness. Positive outcomes
were found for reductions in juvenile and general calls for service, decreases in reported
crimes for several major offenses (I.e., assault, robbery, drugs, domestic violence, and
weapons), and improved attendance and grades for Safe Haven participants. Over
$225,000 in leveraged resources per year was also noted.
Title: Evaluation of Albuquerque Weed and Seed Sites: Trumbull and La Mesa
Neighborhoods
Target Areas: Trumbull and La Mesa target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 7/1/2000
Focus:
The primary goals of the evaluation were to examine and document the role of the
Community and Prosecutions Coordinator (CPC) and determine the degree to which
Weed and Seed drug related offenses were successfully prosecuted. The overall
evaluation question was this: how does the work of the CPC impact the Neighborhood
Associations (NAs) of Trumbull and La Mesa? This question is specified further by
asking whether or not court monitoring, performed by members of the NAs in
coordination with the CPC, increases the likelihood that Weed and Seed drug trafficking
cases will be successfully prosecuted?
The core objectives for the evaluation design were to: (1) thoroughly examine the
coordination efforts between the CPC and the Trumbull and La Mesa NAs and; (2)
determine whether court monitoring by neighborhood members is associated with
favorable prosecution outcomes for convicted criminals, especially drug-related offenses.
Findings:
It is clear by the data collected that neighborhood participation in the court monitoring
process has a positive effect on keeping criminals out of these neighborhoods. There are
a greater number of stay away orders, less dismissals, and more prison sentences for
offenders arrested in the Weed and Seed sites, compared to other neighborhoods in
Albuquerque. In addition, neighborhood participation in the court monitoring process is
ostensibly facilitated by the CPC. Through the coordination efforts of the NA members
and the CPC, drug trafficking cases are efficiently tracked as they are processed through
the system. Because of this, NA members are more effective in organizing their efforts in
keeping drug traffickers out of their neighborhoods. Clearer, more formal collaborative
partnerships will promote further change and are the next step in providing these and
other Albuquerque neighborhoods with better, more comprehensive community services.
Title: National Evaluation of Weed and Seed - Akron Case Study
Target Areas: West Side target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 7/1/1999
Focus:
This case study documents the activities implemented under the Weed and Seed Program
in Akron and assesses the program's impact at this site. The activities undertaken for this
case study: (1) on-site observation of program activities; (2) in-person interviews with
program staff; (3) review of program documents; (4) a survey of target area residents; and
(5) analysis of computerized crime and arrest records provided by the local police
department.
Findings:
The study was conducted too early in the implementation period of the Weed and Seed
efforts in Akron (substantial EOWS funding was only awarded starting in FY1997) to
draw any definitive conclusions regarding program impacts. However, the report does
detail crime trends as well as community perceptions in Akron.
The authors noted that during the intervening period between 1992 when Akron began
its efforts to start a Weed and Seed Site and the awarding of major EOWS funding in
1997, the local officials and agencies had undertaken several initiatives which indicated
that their interest in the Weed and Seed approach went beyond merely obtaining a grant
from EOWS. Consequently, resources such as grants from other Federal programs, a
community policing structure, and the establishment of a multi-service Safe Haven
facility were much further developed than for many other newly funded Sites in other
jurisdictions.
Title: Weed and Seed Strategy - Year Three Evaluation Report
Target Areas: Youngstown
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 4/1/2003
Focus:
This study wanted to determine if the Youngstown Weed and Seed strategy has reached
its major goals for the third year (2002) of the program and if improverments have been
made since program inception. The major goals related to the 4 components of weed and
seed programming; law enforcement, community policing, prevention, intervention, and
treatment and neighborhood restoration. Crime rates, housing records, and information
from youth programs was collected and compared to baseline data from the previous two
years of the program. Mail surveys of community residents and businesses were
conducted and their results were compared to survey results from the previous two years.
Findings:
Multiple findings were revealed in regards to the four components of weed and seed
programming. Law enforcement results showed that there was an 18% decrease in the
number of drug complaints in the target area from year two to year three. There has also
been a 30.7% decrease in drug arrests made by the vice squad and patrol division of the
Youngstown PD since program implementation. Weed and seed housing code violations
have been reduced by 56% since 2000. Since program implementation, there has been an
18.2% drop in homicides and a 8.7% drop in the amount of crime within the site. The
community survey revealed that 34.3% of respondents stated that the law enforcement
component was average while 28.8% rated it as good. According to the business survey,
nearly six in ten business owners have seen an increase in the visible prescense of police.
In regards to community policing, ten block watches were found to be still active in the
community and there have been several training sesssions on crime prevention and
intervention being held for block watch members in year three. Safety beacons have also
been distributed to site residents in 2002. The community survey revealed that 41.6% of
its respondents said that they never heard of the weed and seed strategy while 62.2% said
that they did not feel safe in their neighborhood at night. The survey did report that
53.3% stated that the police are more visible in their community. The weed and seed
component of prevention, intervention, and treatment was seen in continued
programming such as the Boy and Girl Scout Troops, Kids Grieve Too (grief counseling
for kids), and an after school program administered by the Youngstown Urban Minority
Alcohol and Drug Abuse Outreach Program (YUMADAOP). Area youth have also been
school programs and summer camps. Progress in meeting the goals of neighborhood
restoration was seen in the business survey that reported that 70.2% of respondents said
that they have heard of the weed and seed strategy and that a majority of them were
interested in a site beautification project. According to the community survey, however,
over four in 10 respondents stated that the neighborhood restoration component was poor.
There have also been 315 units demolished within the weed and seed area since program
inception along with block watch neighborhodd cleanups that were active in 2002.
Title: The Impact of Project Exile on Firearm Offenders in the Oklahoma City Weed and
Seed Area
Target Areas: Oklahoma City target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 1/1/2002
Focus:
This report provides a preliminary overview and assessment of Project Exile for
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. This is a joint project of the Oklahoma City Police
Department (OCPD), the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF), the
Oklahoma County District Attorney's Office, and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the
Western District of Oklahoma. Project Exile began in February 2000 in response to
firearm violence, but additionally because of current state sentencing practices, which do
not require all firearm offenders to serve 85 percent of their sentence. The objective is to
reduce firearm violence in the Oklahoma City area through coordinated and targeted use
of federal, state and local law enforcement resources.
The purpose of this report is to establish several baselines regarding the firearm offenders
and offenses for 1999 and to then compare them to those for 2000. Additionally, this
information is then to be compared to the Oklahoma City Weed and Seed location, as
well as a control area. More specifically, the goals and information included throughout
the report involve the following:
- illustrating where the firearm offenses are occurring;
- providing/establishing a baseline on the number of offenses and where they are
occurring so they can be tracked (movement and displacement could be measured) and
identify trends which can be measured over time;
- providing detailed comprehensive information about the nature of these firearm
offenses;
- producing in-depth descriptive information about the firearm offenders;
- documenting the changing nature of the firearm offenders; and
- identify changes in firearm offenses and offenders between 1999 and 2000 in the whole
city-area, the Weed and Seed area, and the control area.
Findings:
The findings from this report include, although not exclusively, the following:
1998 through October 31, 1999 (referred to as 1999 hence forward);
- the number of firearm offenses decreased to 1,266 for the November 1, 1999 through
October 31, 2000 time period (referred to as 2000 hence forward), which represents over
a 6% decrease;
- the Weed and Seed area had 89 firearm offenses in 1999 and 84 in 2000, which
translates into over a 5% decline;
- a control area, which was identified, experienced 99 firearm offenses in 1999 and 110 in
2000, which is over an 11 % increase
- the most common firearm offenses were robbery, assault and battery, misdemeanor
firearm offenses, and feloniously pointing a firearm; and
- approximately 80% of the firearm offenses committed within the Weed and Seed area
were perpetrated by offenders living outside the Weed and Seed area.
Overall, the findings tend to suggest that Project Exile is having a positive and
anticipated impact on firearm offenses, at least within the Weed and Seed area. Firearm
offenses have decreased slightly in the Weed and Seed location where the heightened
threat of federal prosecution exists. In contrast, there has been an 11% increase in firearm
offenses in the control area. Although a pre-Project Exile baseline and a one-year post-
Project Exile analysis have now been established, additional research and tracking are
needed to provide a clearer picture of the impact of Project Exile.
Title: Final Evaluation Report for the Philadelphia Weed and Seed Project
Target Areas: Philadelphia target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 12/10/1997
Focus:
The Center for Social Policy and Community Development, Temple University, has
conducted an overall, outcome evaluation of Philadelphia's Weed and Seed Project,
covering the five years of the program's existence. The evaluation has had two primary
goals.
1. To assess the extent to which the City of Philadelphia Weed and Seed Project has
accomplished its stated tasks and performed its stated activities.
2. To document and analyze the success, or lack thereof, of the Weed and Seed strategy,
as it has been applied in the City of Philadelphia.
The evaluation included an emphasis on the impact that the project has had at the
neighborhood level and an emphasis on the lessons that can be learned from the
Philadelphia experience. A central aspect of the Weed and Seed strategy is the
collaboration between law enforcement agencies, between government agencies, and
between government agencies, community groups and the private sector. The shape and
outcomes of these collaborations was, therefore, highlighted in the evaluation.
The relative effectiveness of the various program elements and the way in which they
complement each other was assessed
Findings:
Overall, the project has achieved successes far in excess of what should be expected,
given the level of funding available. Participants have accomplished their stated tasks in a
responsible and praiseworthy fashion. The community survey conducted for this
evaluation identified three needs as primary: eliminate the drug problem, provide youth
programming and/or recreational facilities and remove or renovate abandoned buildings.
The project has focused precisely upon these stated needs and has achieved considerable
success in each area. Over the five years of the project period there has been a decline in
the participation of a number of organizations, paralleling a decline in funds, and also a
turn away from a full-blown community policing strategy. Nevertheless, the experiences
that have been amassed indicate that the Weed and Seed strategy is well worth pursuing.
experiment. If project participants agree to revisit the initial territorial approach --with its
close links between law enforcement and community groups -- and renew their efforts to
coordinate all relevant agencies, the project should be considered for further and greatly
increased funding.
The participants of this project are committed and highly capable. The strategy continues
to hold promise for the resolution of a major social problem. Continued financial support
for this important effort is recommended.
Title: National Evaluation of Weed and Seed - Pittsburgh Case Study
Target Areas: Hill District and Hazelwood/Glen Hazel/Homestead/West Homestead
target areas
Number of Sites: 2
Publication Date: 7/1/1999
Focus:
This case study documents the activities implemented under the Weed and Seed Program
in Pittsburgh and assesses the program's impact at this site. The activities undertaken for
this case study: (1) on-site observation of program activities; (2) in-person interviews
with program staff; (3) review of program documents; (4) a survey of target area
residents; and (5) analysis of computerized crime and arrest records provided by the local
police department.
Findings:
The authors caution that any perceived changes in crime trends and citizen opinions on
public safety may not be solely due to implementation of the Weed and Seed strategy.
Nevertheless, improved trends in crime data for the Crawford-Roberts section of the Hill
District were greater than those for the rest of the city indicating that the Weed and Seed
target area had experienced a proportionately higher reduction in crime. The resident
survey findings do provide substantial evidence that residents of the Crawford Roberts
area considered their community a safer place to live than in 1995 and also regarded the
police and other city services as more responsive to the community's needs and concerns
that they did in 1995.
Other portions of the study examined the organizational aspects of the Weed and Seed
efforts in the two target areas. It was noted that the Sites' operational and managerial
strategies seemed to be appropriate and successful for the political, social, and economic
environments in Pittsburgh.
Title: A Closer Look at Pittsburgh Weed and Seed
Target Areas: Hill District and Hazelwood/Glen Hazel/Homestead/West Homestead
target areas
Number of Sites: 4
Publication Date: 8/1/2001
Focus:
To document activities and outcomes of the Weed and Seed strategy using readily
available data from various local sources.
Findings:
High levels of population mobility and the loss of working age persons for both the city
as a whole and the Local Site presents severe challenges for revitalization of these target
areas. Despite many obstacles, the Local Sites have shown significant progress in
controlling crime. This was evidenced by crime trends that continued to decline between
1997 and 1999 even when crime in the rest of Pittsburgh was going up.
Several examples of active commercial revitalization and community level involvement
were cited as evidence of continued progress in restoring these target areas'
infrastructures.
Title: A Closer Look at Houston's Gulfton Weed and Seed Project
Target Areas: Gufton target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 10/1/2000
Focus:
To document activities and outcomes of the Weed and Seed strategy using readily
available data from various local sources.
Findings:
The Gulfton community contains many challenges for crime control and neighborhood
revitalization. Its population is highly transient, with many young adult males and
families with teenagers, and a large proportion of immigrants. A striking feature are the
very large apartment complexes that dominate the physical landscape of the community.
These buildings by themselves are substantial communities.
Consequently, much of the Weed and Seed strategy has been to stabilize conditions in the
short term so that long term efforts have a chance to develop. Extensive partnerships
have been developed that include intergovernmental and public/private cooperation.
Despite some difficult obstacles to overcome, the Site seems to be making progress in its
efforts to establish an effective infrastructure for community revitalization.
Title: National Evaluation of Weed and Seed - Salt Lake City Case Study
Target Areas: Glendale/Poplar Grove/Fairpark target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 7/1/1999
Focus:
This case study documents the activities implemented under the Weed and Seed Program
in Salt Lake City and assesses the program's impact at this site. The activities undertaken
for this case study: (1) on-site observation of program activities; (2) in-person interviews
with program staff; (3) review of program documents; (4) a survey of target area
residents; and (5) analysis of computerized crime and arrest records provided by the local
police department.
Findings:
Weed and Seed is cited as being instrumental in moving the City government from a
response driven approach to service provision to delivering a linked set of safety services
with more focused interventions into community problems. The analysis of crime data
indicated that Part I crimes were declining more quickly in the target area than in the rest
of the city. The resident survey found improvements in public opinions of police
performance in maintaining order in the neighborhood, reducing street drug activity, and
interacting positively with the community.
Title: Evaluation of Virginia's Weed and Seed Initiative
Target Areas: Lynchburg, Norfolk, Petersburg, and Winchester
Number of Sites: 4
Publication Date: 10/1/2000
Focus:
This evaluation report documents the implementation of Virginia's Weed and Seed
Initiative in four Local Sites. The evaluation also attempted to assess the impact of the
programs on local crime rates.
Findings:
Although it has not been feasible to thoroughly assess the impact of Weed and Seed,
preliminary evidence suggests that the program shows potential as a way to focus
coordinated community efforts against crime. Local Weed and Seed coordinators
indicated that they are encouraged by the program, and every Weed and Seed Site has
plans to continue the program, at least in part. However, each locality has experienced
challenges with struggling components throughout the project, specifically those that
require high community involvement and strong leadership.
Because the state's financial support of the program has terminated, the evaluators have
developed specific recommendations to guide the future development of Weed and Seed
programs. These recommendations address the following issues:
- Improving resident "buy-in" and support of Weed and Seed activities
- Enhancing the role of the prosecutor in the Weed component
- Improving needs assessment techniques when planning Seed activities
- Facilitating strong leadership and interagency cooperation
- Increasing private sector involvement, and
- Creating program coordinator positions for each local program
Title: National Evaluation of Weed and Seed - Seattle Case Study
Target Areas: Central District target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 7/1/1999
Focus:
This case study documents the activities implemented under the Weed and Seed Program
in Seattle and assesses the program's impact at this site. The activities undertaken for this
case study: (1) on-site observation of program activities; (2) in-person interviews with
program staff; (3) review of program documents; (4) a survey of target area residents; and
(5) analysis of computerized crime and arrest records provided by the local police
department.
Findings:
Weed and Seed was cited as instrumental in moving the Seattle Police Department (the
EOWS grant recipient) into greater interaction and coordination with other agencies and
community groups. This approach is credited as making a substantial contribution to the
significant reductions in crime evident in the target area. Especially worth noting is that
the Mayor and the Police Department responded to initial community concerns about the
potential negative aspects of the planned "weeding" activities. This opposition was
successfully addressed by insuring community input into the "weeding" operations and
the adoption of law enforcement strategies acceptable to the area's residents.
The resident survey indicated improved opinions about public safety, city services, and
quality of life which was coupled with increased citizen involvement in the community
and a greater awareness of the Weed and Seed program. Respondents did report a
slightly higher sense of victimization than was claimed in another survey done two years
earlier.
The overall success of Weed and Seed in Seattle is also indicated by the City's continued
expansion of the existing Site plus the development of a second Site. Some aspects of
Weed and Seed have been incorporated in to the City's operations and budget as a means
of sustaining its strategic approach to crime reduction and community revitalization.
Title: A Closer Look at Seattle's Weed and Seed Strategy
Target Areas: Central District and Southeast Seattle target areas
Number of Sites: 2
Publication Date: 6/1/2002
Focus:
To document activities and outcomes of the Weed and Seed strategy using readily
available data from various local sources.
Findings:
The pattern for reported crimes of violence, drugs and weapon possession were studied
for 1995-2000. These are target crimes for Weed and Seed and important quality of life
issues for distressed neighborhoods. Counts for these serious crimes are down in the
Weed and Seed sites. However, these crimes are also lower in the city as a whole.
A further examination of the same types of crime data answers the question whether the
general reduction in reported crime is expected or real by measuring the relative
percentage of crime in Seattle's Weed and Seed sites. This indicated that the Central
Weed and Seed site accounted disproportionately for about 17 percent of Seattle's serious
crime in 1994, but that in 2000 the area only accounted for about 12 percent of Seattle's
serious crime. Crime not only went down in the Central District; it went down faster than
the remainder of the city. This was not expected and is probably not explicable without
the intervention of Weed and Seed law enforcement and community programs.
The Southeast Weed and Seed site, in the South Precinct showed an initial proportional
improvement between 1997 and 1998 by dropping from about 12 to 10 percent of
Seattle's crime. Since then it has made no more progress than the remainder of the city.
But like the rise and then decline of proportional levels of crime in 1998 in the Central
District, things can improve after a setback. Weed and Seed is not a stagnate strategy.
When things start to slip, Weed and Seed police, planners, and community activists
recognize changes in crimes, adjust, and readdress the situation The small increase in
crime in 2000 in the Southeast Weed and Seed site, which the SPD reports is in part due
to displacement of crime from the Central District, is being met through the initiation of
new law enforcement and community organization initiatives.
A number of positive outcomes were reported for various seed activities and leveraging
of outside resources to support the Site's efforts.
Title: Program Evaluation of the O.N.E. Wheeling Weed and Seed
Target Areas: East Wheeling
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 11/1/2003
Focus:
This study conducted a process and impact evaluation of the East Wheeling weed and
seed site for the period of November, 1998 to November, 2002. Study methodology
consisted of gathering data from newspapers and related weed and seed activity reports,
conducting interviews with steering committee members and law enforcement as well as
community policing officers, data analysis of police crime reports, a focus group
interview with safe haven representatives, and a community impact survey.
Findings:
Results revealed multiple findings from the four targets areas of weed and seed
programming. Law enforcement was found to be the most important component of the
program with the most focus and money used. There was a 28% reduction in crime in
East Wheeling compared to only a decrease of 4% for the entire city of Wheeling.
Steering committee interviews revelaed an overall consesnus that the weeding aspect of
the program had been successful. The community impact survey showed that East
Wheeling residents were pleased with police efforts. In regards to community policing,
it was found that there has been an increase in confidence by site residents towards the
police and trust between them as well. A seeding impact was seen as moderate to low.
However, through multiple seeding programs, children were seen as a priority by East
Wheeling Weed and Seed. Neighborhood revitalization was seen as not meeting goals as
almost half of site residents believed that neigborhood condtions are worse or at least still
problematic. Recommendations were given that supported a more cohesive steering
committee, only one recognized safe haven, caution when choosing the site fiscal
manager, and a separate entity to support neighborhood revitalization.
There are a few notable problems with this study. First, in one part of the results, crime
data and community impact survey results in East Wheeling were compared to Wheeling
Island even though these two communites are dissimilar in regards to race and median
income. Thus, a comparison here must be taken with caution. Next, the reduction in
crime noted in East Wheeling must be taken with caution as well as there was an increase
of steering committee interview respondents as only 11 out of the possible 29 were
interviewed.
Title: Safe Haven Program Evaluation (1996-97)
Target Areas: Madison target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 10/27/1997
Focus:
During the 1996-97 year, the focal year of this report, the evaluation had several
components:
1. A determination of a demographic profile of children who attended the Safe Haven
programs. Children who attended the programs were contrasted with (a) all other children
in their schools and (b) other children who resided in the target neighborhoods but did not
participate in the programs. The purpose of these comparisons was to ascertain if the Safe
Haven programs were successful in identifying and serving children who were at risk for
academic and social problems.
2. A limited examination of children's Safe Haven experiences. This included ratings of
the quality of the programs, a determination of how often the children actually attended
the programs, and how the children perceived the programs.
3. Tests of program effects on children's development. Five aspects of child adjustment
were investigated: academic grades, conduct grades, school absences, misconduct, and
conflict resolution strategies. We sought to determine if program attendance was
associated with these adjustment indices. We examined this issue across one-year and
two-year time periods.
Findings:
There were positive effects of participation in the Safe Haven programs on children's
school attendance, conduct, and conflict resolution strategies. One-year comparisons
between adjustment in May 1996 and in May 1997 revealed that children who
participated in the programs during the 1996-97 school year improved their attendance at
school and engaged in less misconduct compared to children who did not attend the
programs. Improvements in conflict resolution strategies also were found for Safe Haven
participants. Children who were enrolled in the programs increased their endorsement of
an avoidance strategy for dealing with peer conflicts.
evident as well. Comparisons of adjustment in May 1995 and in May 1997 showed that
children who were enrolled in the programs during both the 1995-96 and 1996-97 school
years reduced their selection of overt aggression in response to hypothetical peer conflicts
and improved their attendance at school. Program children also evaluated an avoidance
strategy for dealing with peer conflicts more positively than non-program children did
following their participation in the programs.
Title: Milwaukee Weed and Seed Program Evaluation
Target Areas: Avenues West/Metcalfe Park/Mid-Town target area
Number of Sites: 1
Publication Date: 9/1/1997
Focus:
This study examined the impacts of the Milwaukee Weed and Seed Site in 1995-96.
Findings:
- Serious crime has decreased. The Milwaukee Weed and Seed Program has been a major
contributing factor in the overall reduction of crime in the targeted areas - especially
violent crime and drug and weapons offenses. Inasmuch as the decline was greater in the
Weed and Seed target areas than the comparison areas, this would indicate that the Weed
and Seed Program has been successful in its crime reduction strategy. The greatest
reduction in the level of criminal activity occurred in the Avenues West target area,
whereas the least improvement took place in Metcalfe Park.
- Residents feel safer. In all three Weed and Seed target areas, residents perceive that
their neighborhoods are safer since the start of the Weed and Seed Program in 1995. In
the two and a half years since Weed and Seed began in Milwaukee, the level of fear
expressed by target area residents has fallen significantly as has the percentage of
residents reporting criminal victimization to the survey team.
- Residents' attitudes toward police performance are more positive. A growing number of
people living in the target areas are finding favor with how Milwaukee police perform
their job. The opinions and attitudes of residents about police performance have grown
more positive in the last several years, especially regarding quality of life/community
policing activities. The commitment demonstrated by the Milwaukee Police Department
in using Weed and Seed funds to target drug houses and open air drug markets as well as
an array of nuisance ordinance violations has received strong support in all three areas.
- Weed and seed arrests remove a significant percentage of serious offenders. One in four
Weed and Seed arrests in 1995 and 1996 resulted in individuals being removed from the
community and placed via the courts in state prisons or state run, secure and/or juvenile
institutions. An additional twenty percent were removed and committed to the Milwaukee
County House of Correction.
the State Department of Corrections have utilized the opportunity provided by the Weed
and Seed Program to work closely together, share information on probationers and
parolees, and enhance the overall safety of the target areas. The Milwaukee Police and
Federal law enforcement agencies have implemented successful initiatives targeting drug
dealers.
- A key feature and innovative aspect of the seeding portion of Milwaukee's Weed and
Seed Program has been the work of project staff known as Community Liaisons. The
work of three Community liaisons is having a positive impact on the three targeted areas
that they serve. Their door-to-door communication efforts and their efforts to build
neighborhood strategies have gained community approval and support for this approach
to strengthening neighborhood resistance to crime. Milwaukee's innovative Weed and
Seed Community Liaisons provide a key communication link to and from residents.
The Milwaukee Weed and Seed Program has demonstrated the value of its strategy of
"weeding out" violent crime and gang activity and improving the quality of life in the
targeted areas. Challenges remain, however, and crime is still a problem in the target
neighborhoods. The groundwork for continuing the Weed and Seed Program has been
completed, and plans for a sustained source of funding need to be pursued. Finally, given
the diverse nature of the Weed and Seed target areas, the Milwaukee Weed and Seed
approach is replicable and provides a model for developing an anti-crime strategy in
other areas of Milwaukee.
Title: A Closer Look at Milwaukee Weed and Seed
Target Areas: Avenues West/Metcalfe Park/Mid-Town target area
Number of Sites: 3
Publication Date: 3/22/2000
Focus:
To document activities and outcomes of the Weed and Seed strategy using readily
available data from various local sources.
Findings:
Serious Crime has Decreased - One year after the initiation of Weed and Seed in three
Milwaukee neighborhoods, violent and weapon crimes decreased by almost 50 percent.
In 1995, almost 900 arrests involved a violent and/or a weapon violation. One year later it
was reduced to about 450. Each of the three neighborhoods realized a substantial
decrease in violent crime.
Compared to Surrounding Neighborhoods -- Crime Was Lower Than Expected - The
evaluation shows that arrests for violent, weapon, drugs and violation of probation in
surrounding comparison group neighborhoods increase slightly, while at the same time
the number of arrests for the same crimes decreased in the Weed and Seed neighborhoods
by about 21 percent. While there is still a lot of crime in the Weed and Seed
neighborhoods, the greatest success has been a reduction in the most serious and
dangerous crimes.
Residents Feel Safer - Based on randomly selected respondents, neighborhood residents
were favorably affected by the impact of the Milwaukee Weed and Seed programs.
Before Weed and Seed between 50 and 65 percent of the residents feared that they would
be a victim of a serious crime. In 1996, although still high, this "fear rate" had decreased
to about 45 percent for neighborhood residents.
Attitudes of the Police Starts to Become More Positive - The surveys also indicated that
residents were significantly more aware of increased police presence. The: pre - post
surveys also show a 10 to 20 percentage point increase - now over half - of the residents
feel that "the police department has done a good job in making me feel safe in this area."
Likewise, survey results show a very favorable response to the work of the community
liaisons. Most residents were impressed with the helpfulness and knowledge of the "new"
community workers. Still residents want more police protection.
The Youth Crime and Violence Task Force has continued Milwaukee's interest of
measuring the degree of success for the Safe and Sound project. They want to know
"How much better are we doing?" They are aware of the magnitude of their current
undertaking as compared to the three neighborhood Weed and Seed program. Therefore
they are investing in an ongoing evaluation with Marquette University that measures both
performance for each program area and specific outcomes. The "bottom-line"
measurement is the anticipated decrease in crime rates in each neighborhood. Social
order, improved educational and life decisions (e.g. drug use, teenage pregnancy, and self
sustaining employment) are not expected to occur in an environment of disorder marked
by violence, gangs, and illicit drug marketing.
