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Home My WebLink About(1) PORT ARTHUR WEED & SEEDPORT ARTHUR WEED AND SEED REPORT Prepared by: LaTonya Turner, Weed and Seed Coordinator BACKGROUND Weed and Seed is a community-based strategy originally developed in 1991 by the U. S. Department of Justice (DOJ). The W&S Initiative is a collaborative effort including neighborhood residents, the public and private sector, and state/local government all working together to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in designated high-crime neighborhoods throughout the country. This strategy's approach is two-fold: law enforcement and prosecutors cooperate to `weed' out drug abuse and violent criminals while private and public community organizations and agencies work together to `seed' in programs that benefit community residents. The Weed and Seed strategy is a multilevel strategic plan that includes four basic components: Law Enforcement This component is designed to weed out crime and violence. Efforts are directed at identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting the most serious and visible criminals in the neighborhood. Community Policin¢ This component focuses on residents and police officers working together to solve crime problems through a systematic process that addresses the underlying causes of crime. Efforts include increasing police visibility, providing victim referrals to support services and impiementing nuisance abatement programs. Prevention/Intervention/Treatment This component concentrates on bringing an array of human services to the designated neighborhood to create an environment in which crime and violence cannot thrive. Activities in this area focus on services such as after school programs, drug prevention programs, educational opportunities, drug treatment, and medical care. Nei¢hbarhaod Revital¢ation This component addresses and seeks to expand the economic vitality of the community so that crime and disorder will not thrive. Efforts focus on economic development, employment opportunities for residents, and improvements to the housing stock and physical environment of the neighborhood. The City of Port Arthur applied for and received Official Recognition as a Weed and Seed site in 2002. The City serves as fiscal agent of federal grant funds received for the support of Port Arthur's Weed and Seed Initiative. 2 Port Arthur's Weed and Seed Strategy efforts are focused in a neighborhood comprised of census tracts 53, 54, 61, 62, and 63. The neighborhood is a 2.7 mile area bounded by The Kansas City Southern (KCS) railway tracks on the north, Woodworth Boulevard on the east, the Sabine-Neches Ship Canal on the south, and the KCS railway tracks on the west. PORT ARTHUR'S WEED AND SEED STRATEGY The driving force behind a Weed and Seed site is its steering committee. Port Arthur's Weed and Seed Steering Committee is comprised of 25 members. Representatives include residents, the City of Port Arthur, the U.S. Attorney's office, a local DEA representative, the local police department, the public school system, social service agencies, local businesses, and faith-based organizations. In its seven years of activity, the Port Arthur Weed and Seed group has created an active coalition of residents, city offices, local law enforcement, community groups, and non- profit organizations to address the problems identified in the target area. The group has initiated and supported several programs in the azeas of public safety, economic development, and youth activities. Federal Funding Funding used by Port Arthur W&S comes from local, state, and federal sources. Federal funding from Apri12006 to present comes from the U. S. Department of Justice, totaling $350 000. This Funding has gone to support: • Youth Tutoring Services • Youth Summer Camp Opportunities • Computer Training for Adults • Neighborhood Clean-Up Activities • Youth Sports Activities • Policing Equipment • Computer Hardware and Software • Resident Leadership Training • Police Overtime • Travel to Workshop Trainings City Fundin¢ The City of Port Arthur funds the salary of the Weed and Seed staff. The city has also contributed local funding for neighborhood demolition projects, and contributes the time of city department staff for ongoing implementation of Weed and Seed projects and activities. Port Arthur Reed and Seed programs include: Youth Business Skills Development PA Weed and Seed, in partnership with Dequeen Elementary School, and Junior Achievement, introduce students to the concepts of earning money, managing money, and generating wealth. The project is designed to assist in teaching students the fundamentals of business development. Youth Tutoring Services Through The Tutoring Project, elementary school youth have an opportunity to receive one-on-one and small group tutoring provided by students of Lamaz. Lamar tutors meet with youth during school hours as well as during each campus' after-school program. This partnership with Dequeen Elementary School, Wilson Technology Theme School, Tekoa Academy, and Lamaz State College-Port Arthur provides college students with practical tutoring/teaching experience while also providing school children with academic tutors. Neighborhood Computer Training Center Port Arthur Weed and Seed, in partnership with Eastern Star Missionary Baptist Church provides a Neighborhood Computer Training Center within the Weed and Seed designated neighborhood. The center, located at Eastern Star, consists of six computers, a printer and a scanner. Participants have an opportunity to complete six-week workshop series that cover the topics of Computer Fundamentals, Word-Processing, Power Point, and Using the Internet. The center is also available for general usage as well as for informative workshops covering resume building and job searching techniques. Volunteer instructors facilitate each workshop. Youth Summer Camnershi~s Port Arthur Weed and Seed, in partnership with The Salvation Army, has provided summer camp opportunities to neighborhood youth, who might not otherwise be able to pay camp costs. Youth Sports Cam Port Arthur Weed and Seed, in partnership with community residents, and Pop Warner Football, hosts a Youth Sports Camp. During the camp youth receive professional instruction in the sport that they love. The Sports Camp operates for one-week during Spring Break and one-week during the summer. COLLABORATIONS The strength of Port Arthur Weed and Seed rests in its strong collaborative relationships. During the past seven years, collaborative partnerships have included, but are not limited to, the following: City of Port Arthur Texas Lamar State College-Port Arthur Texas World'orce Commission Jefferson County Crime Stoppers Willie Carter Outreach Center Jefferson County Constable's Office, Precinct 8 United Board of Missions Love People, Inc. The Port Arthur Beautification Commission Port Arthur Housing Authority Project Safe Neighborhoods Port Arthur Independent School District United State's Attorney's Office The Salvation Army Disaster Mental Health Services Savannah Housing Corporation Eastern Star Missionary Baptist Church Jefferson County Adult Probation KT Maintenance Port Arthur Citizens Drug Task Force CURRENT BUDGET Port Arthur Weed and Seed is in its final year of traditional "Weed and Seed" funding. However, this does not eliminate the site's opportunity to receive additional sources of local, state, and federal funding. In fact, Weed and Seed sites often receive priority when applying through state and federal funding sources. Attached is a detailed listing of Port Arthur's Current grant budget. PLANS FOR SUSTAINABII,ITY Port Arthur Weed and Seed has the option of applying for graduated status through the U. S. Department of Justice. Graduated Weed and Seed sites are those that are no longer eligible for traditional "Weed and Seed" funding, but cortinue to develop, coordinate, and deliver services that enhance the quality of life and improve public safety. As a graduated site, Port Arthur Weed and Seed may apply for additional sources of funding to support its strategy. PORT ARTHUR WEED AND SEED Current Budget Balances Budget Amount Actual Ea enditure Balance Police Overtime 45,000.00 30,745.00 14,255.00 Pro ram Su Ges 15,080.00 10,270.00 4,810.00 Rental Items 10,600.00 9,600.00 1,000.00 Travel and Education 9,000.00 4,444.00 4,556.00 Com uterPro rams 13,100.00 9,375.00 3,725.00 Consultants/Contracts 55,200.00 20,782.00 34,418.00 E ui ment 13,520.00 0.00 13,520.00 Recreational Su lies 2,500.00 0.00 2,500.00 Additional Eg eases 11,000.00 0.00 11,000.00 TOTAL 175,000.00 85,216.00 89,784.00 March 2009