The Northwest Park Oakview Weed and Seed Program

About the Program

Category: Criminal Justice and Public Safety (Best in Category)

Year: 2010

Administered through Montgomery County’s Silver Spring Regional Services Center, the Northwest Park Oakview Weed and Seed Program is a neighborhood revitalization strategy aimed at weeding out crime and seeding in programs and service in designated high crime communities. The program focuses initiatives in the areas of Law Enforcement, Community Policing, Prevention/Intervention/Treatment programs and Neighborhood Restoration. Successful implementation of the strategy stresses an emphasis on communication, coordination and collaboration across a broad range of partners that include businesses, non-profit organizations and multiple federal, state, county and municipal government agencies. Program operations began in October 2006 and continue today in its fourth year of operation. By continuously reaching out to new and emerging nonprofits, as well as long established government institutions, the program has helped to enhance citizen participation in neighborhood watch and community associations. The Weed and Seed program has also helped residents understand the availability of government programs. Moreover, by creating opportunities for dialogue with elected officials between residents and elected leaders, the Weed and Seed Program has help with effective public policy.