What is Operation Weed & Seed?

Operation Weed & Seed is a nationwide effort launched in 1991 by the United States Department of Justice to improve the quality of life in high crime areas in American cities. It is a crime prevention strategy led by a consortium of law enforcement and government agencies, local service providers, non-profit groups, community residents, and others who are committed to:

• preventing, reducing and controlling crime

• delivering programs and services for community residents.

Our Leadership

Mission Statement

To revitalize targeted Bronx neighborhoods by applying crime prevention and community development strategies in concert with law enforcement professionals, community residents, government and non-profits service organizations, and other community stakeholders.

 

Goals

1. Reduce crime through innovative and coordinated efforts with local, state and federal authorities.
   
   
2. Sustain crime reduction by investing in human and physical resources and maintaining positive working relations between law enforcement agencies and community residents.
   
   
3. Use crime and service data to evaluate results and prioritize efforts.

 

Strategy

     Prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activities in high crime areas.

     Operation Weed and Seed’s strategy is based on four elements:

It brings together all the key partners in the Steering Committee leadership to develop a long-term plan for the neighborhood. On the enforcement side, targeted arrests and prosecutions are the primary thrust. On the community development end, the focus is on providing social service, educational support, truancy prevention, employment training, and economic development opportunities.

 

Funding

Operation Weed & Seed is an initiative within the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, Community Capacity Development Office. In addition, as the grantee of this initiative, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office provides administrative oversight and supplemental funding.

 

 

Weeding Initiatives

Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors work together to target and arrest violent offenders and drug traffickers from designated areas. They weed out the crime problems that keep us indoors, isolated and afraid, and that prevent our children from using playgrounds and parks.

Weeding also makes our neighborhood streets safer through such efforts as community policing, bike and foot patrols, and proactive visible enforcement activity.

 

 

Seeding Initiatives

The seeding component seeks to revitalize neighborhoods by strategically designing programs to address and resolve problems identified by community members.

Through neighborhood partnerships, an infusion of prevention, intervention and community improvement services are seeded into the community to help it flourish.

Our seeding activities include a Safe Haven after-school program with educational, recreational, arts, and environmental beautification activities. Youth and adult workshops address community issues. Additionally, a computer learning center brings the world of computers to area residents of all ages.

 

 

Programs & Services At Bronx River Houses

• After School Program
  The After School Program meets Monday through Friday from 3:00 – 6:00 pm for youth from five through 12 years old. Daily activities include homework assistance, tutoring, arts and crafts, computer literacy training, sports, gardening, cooking classes, dance classes, African drum classes and the Partners-in-Reading program.

• Youth and Teen Sports
  The Youth and Teen Sports Program for youth from five through 18 years old operates Monday through Friday and offers a variety of sports activities including basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball and baseball.

• Computer Learning Center
  The Computer Learning Center operates Monday through Saturday for those five years and older. It offers an opportunity for residents to access the internet who may not otherwise have access. Classes are offered for all age groups at beginning through more advanced levels. Students can come into the center to do research and homework.

• Summer Recreational Program
  The Summer Recreational Program was designed to offer an opportunity for parents who can not afford the fees of summer camp to enroll their children in a safe, fun summer program. The program operates from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for children seven through twelve years old. All children are invited to have both breakfast and lunch at the center. Activities include sports, games, crafts, music, dance, family activities and trips.

• Step Dancing
  The Step Dancing Program offers classes twice per week from seven to eight in the evenings.

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Operation Weed & Seed Officials & Staff

CHAIRPERSONS

Honorable Michael J. Garcia
United States Attorney for the
Southern District of New York

Honorable Robert T. Johnson
District Attorney, Bronx County

OFFICIALS & STAFF

Elizabeth Marringer
Assistant U.S. Attorney
Office of the United States Attorney
Southern District of New York

Alexi Mantsios
Law Enforcement Coordinator
Office of the United States Attorney
Southern District of New York

Odalys C. Alonso
Chief Assistant District Attorney
Office of the Bronx District Attorney

Lisa Payne Wansley
Administrative Chief
Office of the Bronx District Attorney

Barbara Robles-Gonzalez
Director, Community Affairs Unit
Office of the Bronx District Attorney

Gerri Arrighi
Director of Operations
Bronx River/Bruckner Weed and Seed

Harold Payne
Program Coordinator
Bronx River/Bruckner Weed and Seed

Robert Spencer
G.R.E.A.T. (Gang Resistance Education and Training) Program
High School for Law & Public Policy