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Weed and Seed |
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Weed and Seed |
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The following is a summary of Weed and Seed Programs in Hartford:
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Buy/ Busts
Buy/ busts will be implemented through the Weeding component.
Task Force Operations
Targeting of drug sellers and purchasers through prosecutorial review is part of the task force's activities. A high priority will be removal of firearms from streets and federal prosecution of those arrested with significant serious felony records.
Sting Operations
The enforcement plan continues to include use of Reverse Stings as a tactic in narcotics enforcement.
COMMUNITY POLICING
Under the Building Captain Program, applicants were chosen for each of the 23 buildings in the Stowe Village development and trained in community leadership skills. Captains serve as building monitors to observe and report adverse physical conditions and illegal activities. This latter role has proven to be particularly valuable to the Police Department in its enforcement role. Building Captains provide information to residents and responsible leadership. Crime has dropped in the target area due to saturation with high visibility patrols.
Youth Mentorship
The Hartford Police Summer Youth academy introduces youths to the Hartford Police Department. Workshops and discussions are held in which the various roles of an officer are presented, as well as opportunities for youths to be involved with the Department through the Police Explorers program, as Park Rangers, Cadets or recruits.
NEIGHBORHOOD RESTORATION
Art classes are being offered to youths as part of the Safe Haven program coordinated by the Family Investment Center and the Wish School.
Community Garden
The Knox Parks Foundation continues to operate its local community garden, and also will provide neighborhood greening activities. The form these will take is dependent in part on renovation plans for Stowe Village.
PREVENTION/INTERVENTION/TREATMENT
Health
Drug Abuse Treatment
The provider for this program has been providing counseling services and referring drug abusers to long term treatment; in addition, the Housing Authority has arranged with the provider to operate a family Reunification Program that reunites "absentee" fathers with Housing Authority resident families, including those being released from prison, in an effort to mitigate the long-term effect of previous public housing policies and secure commitments of sobriety, responsibility and accountability from fathers of resident children.
SPECIAL INITIATIVES
SAFE HAVEN(S)
The City's Safe Haven Program consists of two sites: the Family Investment Center and the Wish elementary School. In addition to the existing programs offered at both the school and at the Family Investment Center, Weed and Seed provides certain programs for children and adults after school. Cooking classes, art classes, music classes, drug counseling and parenting focus groups will be offered at the safe haven.
NOTABLE PROGRAMS
Anti-violence
Computer
The computer center will continue to be available to both youths after school and on Saturdays, as well as adults working toward their GEDs or involved in work readiness programs.
Journalism Program
A new journalism program will bring together the disciplines of writing, photography and reporting for Stowe Village youths. A local member of the print media will assist in the program.
Recreation
Fitness Programs
The Mushaba Force Youth Foundation continues to work with young people, teaching discipline, martial arts and other constructive outlets.
Leagues
A girls' after school basketball program was started in 1997 by three Hartford Police Officers, who coordinate and coach a team of middle school girls that is part of a ten-team league.
Vocational
Job Placement
The Urban League will continue to provide job placement services through the Family Investment Center as part of its oversight responsibility.