Bill Text: HI SB131 | 2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Relating To The Weed And Seed Strategy.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2017-02-13 - Report adopted; Passed Second Reading and referred to JDL/WAM. [SB131 Detail]
Download: Hawaii-2017-SB131-Introduced.html
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THE SENATE |
S.B. NO. |
131 |
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TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2017 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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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 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 federal, state, and county level law enforcement agencies, 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 uses 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 also 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 to maintain and expand the weed and seed strategy.
SECTION 2. There is appropriated out of the general revenues of the State of Hawaii the sum of $400,000 or so much thereof as may be necessary for fiscal year 2017-2018 as a grant pursuant to chapter 42F, Hawaii Revised Statutes, to Empower O‘ahu to maintain and expand the weed and seed strategy.
The sum appropriated shall be expended by the department of the attorney general for the purposes of this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2017.
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INTRODUCED BY: |
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Report Title:
Grants; Empower O‘ahu; Weed and Seed Strategy; Appropriation
Description:
Appropriates funds as a grant to Empower O‘ahu to maintain and expand the weed and seed strategy, which is a collaborative effort to reclaim, restore, and rebuild communities.
The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.
