HB969

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	969
TWENTY-FOURTH LEGISLATURE, 2007
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to the weed and seed strategy.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. The legislature finds that the weed and seed strategy is a United States Department of Justice initiative that is administered locally by the United States Attorney's Office. Initiated in 1992, the strategy currently includes more than three hundred sites in two hundred twenty-six cities across the country.

The weed and seed strategy is a collaborative effort among law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and county levels, social service agencies, private businesses, nonprofit organizations, and residents to reclaim, restore, and rebuild communities. The four key elements of the weed and seed strategy are:

(1) Law enforcement;

(2) Community policing;

(3) Prevention, intervention, and treatment programs; and

(4) Neighborhood restoration.

The weed and seed strategy works with local law enforcement to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted neighborhoods by "weeding" out the criminal element in the community. Community policing involves having police officers work closely with community residents to develop solutions to violent and drug-related crimes. The next step is to "seed" the community with human services that include prevention, intervention treatment, and neighborhood revitalization.

The legislature finds that the weed and seed strategy has been successful since its inception in the Kalihi‑Palama and Chinatown areas of downtown Honolulu. The legislature further finds that since the beginning of the program, crime in those areas has been significantly reduced. The legislature further finds that the strategy's success warrants its expansion into other communities.

The purpose of this Act is to make an appropriation for the weed and seed strategy.

SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $ , or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2007-2008, and the same sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2008-2009, as a grant-in-aid pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to the YMCA of Honolulu to expand the weed and seed program to operate in the Kalihi, Waipahu, and Ewa beach communities on Oahu.

The sums appropriated shall be expended by the department of the attorney general through a contract with the YMCA of Honolulu for the purposes of this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2007.

INTRODUCED BY:	_____________________________