Weed and Seed — Ideas and Money to Fight Neighborhood Crime — The Weed and Seed strategy, a US Department of Justice community-based initiative, is an innovative and comprehensive multi-agency approach to law enforcement, crime prevention, and community revitalization.  The Community Capacity Development Office is an innovative and comprehensive multi-agen cy approach to law enforcement, crime prevention, and community revitalization. The Community Capacity Development Office, Office of Justice Programs, at the US Department of Justice, oversees the Weed and Seed program.

Weed and Seed is foremost a strategy, rather than a grant program, which aims to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in designated high-crime neighborhoods across the country. There are over 300 Weed and Seed sites, ranging in size from several neighborhood blocks to several square miles, with populations from 3,000 to 50,000 people.

The strategy involves a two-pronged approach: law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in "weeding out" criminals who participate in violent crime and drug abuse; and seeding brings human services to the area, encompassing prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood restoration. A community-oriented policing component bridges weeding and seeding strategies.

At each site, the United States Attorney plays a leadership role in organizing local officials, community representatives, and other key stakeholders, to form a steering committee. The US Attorney also facilitates coordination of Federal, state, and local law enforcement efforts so that sites can effectively use Federal law enforcement partners in weeding strategies and mobilize resources for seeding programs from a variety of Federal agencies.

A prospective site applies for Official Recognition (OR) of its Weed and Seed strategy; with the OR status comes eligibility to apply for Weed and Seed funds, priority for participating in federally-sponsored training and technical assistance, and preference in receiving discretionary resources from participating Federal agencies. All Weed and Seed sites must show their capacity to obtain financial and in-kind resources from a variety of public and private sources.


Weed and Seed is the key component of the Department of Justice's anti-violence and drug enforcement/comprehensive community revitalization strategy. Through these efforts, community residents nationwide have hope that they can enjoy a safer and better quality of life.

Important Legislative Changes:

New congressional legislation mandates that the DEA, special agent in charge, serve on the Weed and Seed steering committee in a voting capacity.

New congressional legislation mandates that the US Attorney serve as a voting member of the Weed and Seed steering committee.

All Weed and Seed budgets must include a 25% match, as the Federal share of this grant-funded project may not exceed 75 % of the total project cost. The requirement may be satisfied in cash or in-kind. Pay close attention to the new match requirement and calculate appropriately. Use the sample Budget Details and sample Budget Narrative to assist you in correctly developing your budget.

The Special Emphasis program has been reduced from $50,000 to $25,000. Remember that special emphasis funding is part of the total funding request for Continuation Sites. If you do not use the entire $25,000 for a special emphasis program, you must deduct it from your funding request.

Total funding for each site is capped at $1 million.

For more information, contact your local United States Attorney's Office. or visit the CCDO web site at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ccdo , or contact CCDO directly at:

Community Capacity Development Office
US Department of Justice
Office of Justice Programs
810 Seventh Street, NW
Washington, DC 20531
Telephone (202) 616-1152 Fax (202) 616-1159