NCJ Number
168763
Date Published
1997
Length
65 pages
Annotation
Following the successful 1989-1992 community policing program in Wilmington, Delaware, the advent of the U.S. Department of Justice's Operation Weed & Seed presented a similar opportunity for the State.
Abstract
In 1992, Operation Weed & Seed began in the West Center City and Hilltop neighborhoods of Wilmington, areas of the city that had recently experienced significant increases in illicit drug activity. Initially, weeding programs consisted of five community policing officers targeted to walking patrols, increased funding for traditional drug law enforcement, and State prosecutor and probation officer dedication to Weed & Seed cases. In addition, an active investigative consortium of Federal and local law enforcement agencies, chaired by the Delaware Federal Prosecutor, was established. Seeding programs focused on victim services, drug abuse education and treatment, recreation, tutoring, and parent training. Most seeding programs were offered in conjunction with four safe havens or community centers in Wilmington. Key to the success of Operation Weed & Seed was the evolution from traditional policing to community policing. The program produced measurable improvements in quality of life and safety in 1992 and 1993, but these trends were reversed in 1994 and 1995. Late in 1995, some progress was once again made in reducing drug sales and drug-related arrests. Weed & Seed activities are assessed in relation to illicit drug trends in the target area, calls for police service, drug arrests, and juvenile crime. 11 references, 11 tables, 4 figures, 9 charts, 6 photographs, and 6 maps