(9) How important is the proposed Weed and Seed program to Henderson?
Alston: The Weed & Seed designation is very important to Henderson. The designation would allow us to seek specified grant funding to combat crime and societal ills. The designation would also better enable us to put in place programs which would improve the quality of life for those in the designated areas. The ultimate impact would be felt citywide. The designation, along with the funding sources which it brings, would allow us to proceed much quicker on the road to curbing crime in our city.
Gupton: The Weed and Seed program is very important to Henderson if we can get it. I hope we will be as successful as other communities have been.
Harper: Weeding out crime and seeding positive programs in our neighborhoods is critical to our future. Hopefully, we will receive the specific Weed and Seed federal grant, but even if we don’t, we still need to work toward this goal. In Gastonia’s Weed and Seed program, for example, there are street crime units operated location-specific. They started looking to push buyers out of bad neighborhoods. The police there also created a partnership with landlords to help expedite convictions and turn homes from criminal handouts into good neighbors. (News & Observer, Feb. 28, 2005)
Daeke: Most important. It directly hits on everything I’ve said to this point. It will give the city of Henderson the designation that will give us priority for funding. Funding will be used (guided by a committee of people in the designated area) to increase police presence and rid the area of drugs and crime. Additional funds will be used to create, partner with, and/or collaborate with new and existing prevention and treatment programs that will allow the area to become cleaner and safer. Homeownership, again, will be a key ingredient in the “seed’ portion.
Yount: This is a very commendable effort and one that should help all parts of Henderson and not just the designated areas. However, if we should not receive the grant, I would hope we could still use the planning, philosophy and maybe some of the drug intervention money to set up a local program. My hope is that the idea will not be dropped if the grant does not come through. We can work to provide youth mentoring programs, truancy prevention, and probation and parole projects on our own if this money does not come through. By using some of the drug intervention money, we can shine a spotlight and concentrate efforts to bring all our resources together. The idea is great, and the money would be a great plus, but if we don’t get it, we should employ many of the ideas anyway.
Wester: For two reasons it is very important. The first is that it demonstrates what cooperation and focused groups can accomplish. The financial implication of receiving this federal status could breathe life into a comprehensive strategy. It would enable us to address the issues that contribute to crime and provide funding. The strategy has yet to be determined by the neighborhoods encompassed in the targeted area but will address issues such as education and revitalization of communities.