This online resource from the Office of Justice Programs Crime Solutions features of the Weed and Seed Program in Miami, FL, are described, and findings are presented from one evaluation and its methodology.
Regarding the program's impact on violent crime, the evaluation found no significant reduction in violent offenses in the Liberty City treatment area of Miami after the crackdown; however, reductions were observed in the control and displacement catchment (buffer) areas. The evaluation of the program's impact on drug offenses determined that a significant increase in drug offenses occurred after the crackdown in the treatment area, but not in the comparison or catchment areas. The evaluation did not find any displacement of violent and drug crime to other locations after the program's crackdown and the closing of a public housing development in Liberty City. The evaluation used an interrupted time series quasi-experimental design in assessing the impact of the Weed and Seed crackdown program on levels of drug and violent crime. Weed and Seed aims to prevent, control, and reduce violent, drug, and gang activity in high-crime areas by having law enforcement and prosecutors work to "weed" out criminals. Community revitalization is addressed by "seeding" human services that focus on prevention, intervention, and neighborhood development. The Miami program began in the Liberty City neighborhood of Miami, starting with a gang crackdown to eliminate a violent narcotics distribution organization terrorizing that neighborhood. The program's community-based organization manages a local Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which is a gun-reduction partnership. Another community-based program, Operation Save Our Streets, focuses on crime prevention through social development. Activities include job fairs, school-based drug-use prevention programs, lead awareness campaigns, and neighborhood beautification projects. An additional 10 treatment sites have been established since 1997.