Hartford Weed and Seed Program Overview

Weed and Seed Site # 563, located in the City of Hartford in Hartford County Connecticut, received Official Recognition status on June 1,2005, based upon its October 29, 2004 application. The site is not located in either a rural area or Federally Recognized American Indian/Alaskan Native Tribal Area.

The Weed and Seed boundaries are as follows:
East boundary:  Ann St.
South boundary:  Homestead Ave.
West boundary:  Homestead Ave. and Westbourne Pkwy.
North boundary:  Westbourne Pkwy. and Greenfield St. and Mahl Ave. 

The Census tract numbers for the Weed and Seed site are as follows: 
5014, 5017, 5018, 5035, 5037

Organizational Structure 

The Upper Albany/Clay Arsenal Weed and Seed Steering Committee (WSSC) is comprised of two primary committees, a Weeding Committee and a Seeding Committee.  Under the Weeding Committee task forces address focus on strategic areas of law enforcement; and under the Seeding Committee, three subcommittees address focus areas of community policing, prevention/intervention/treatment and neighborhood restoration within the catchment area.   

The Weed and Seed Steering Committee (WSSC) members are responsible for participating in strategic planning, policymaking, and management of the Weed and Seed project.  Members have the delegated authority to represent their agencies and organizations in making firm commitments of resources (e.g., financial and personnel) to the effort.  The WSSC continues to focus on defining the vision for this project, conducting and analyzing needs assessments, setting goals, establishing an evaluation plan, and maintaining viable subcommittees and work groups to oversee daily operations.  The group will review periodic evaluation reports, both verbal and written, and work to keep the project on track and achieving stated goals. WSSC activities also include policy development, creation of inter-agency procedures and protocols, project management, and advocacy.  It initiates program adjustments based on progress reports.  The WSSC mediates and resolves implementation issues and coordinates cross-agency collaborations.  Overall, the WSSC ensures that weeding and seeding activities are fully integrated, works on grant applications to obtain funding for programs, and oversees the work of the coordinator and project evaluator. 

It is a requirement of the WSSC that every contractor associated with the project assign one representative to attend the regular monthly WSSC meetings, which are held the third Wednesday of every month.  This facilitates the regular flow of information and contractor accountability to the WSSC.  Contractor representatives do not have the ability to vote.

The Upper Albany/Clay Arsenal WSSC has followed the guidelines set forth in the Weed and Seed Implementation Manual for its managerial structure. The twenty-five member steering committee is headed by an executive committee, which is composed of its chairman Brian P. Leaming (designated appointee from the office of the U.S. Attorney), Deputy Chief John Horvath (of the HPD), and the chairpersons of the Weed and Seed subcommittees.The regular day-to-day operations of the weeding element of this project, according to the established policies and procedures of local law enforcement and in partnership with state and federal resources, are carried out by the Hartford Police Department. 

The Weed and Seed coordinator oversees the overarching day-to-day operations of the seeding element of the project; however, individual programs, service delivery, and agency functions will be carried out on a daily basis by the organizations administering these operations and programs.  The Weed and Seed coordinator facilitates meetings, provides documentation, ensures efficient use of project resources, supports strong communication between community collaborators and the WSSC, and coordinates the management of all Weed and Seed contracts. Deputy Chief John Horvath will be the day-to-day decision-making authority for the weeding efforts.  Richard LeGrier, Community Relations Specialist for HPD has been appointed as the full-time Weed and Seed Coordinator, responsible for the day-to-day decision-making for the seeding efforts.

Overall Strategy Goals (each supported by a WSSC subcommittee) 

Law Enforcement
The crime prevention efforts began in the Upper Albany/Clay Arsenal (UACA) neighborhoods in large part because of the increase in gun violence in these areas. The UACA Weed and Seed efforts continue to reduce gun violence. Deeply connected with the gun violence is the narcotics trade, which is in fact most often the cause of the gun violence.  Therefore, the law enforcement strategy also will continue to address narcotics sales in the UACA.

Community Policing

Prevention, Intervention, Treatment (PIT)
In an effort to address underlying root causes of crime, the WSSC works towards developing partnerships that can address the systemic problems in the UACA, such as domestic violence and child abuse, poverty, lack of youth activities and youth direction, the difficulty of re-entry for offenders, easy access to guns, etc.  Young men in the UACA in particular need to have established life goals and to believe that they can find ways to support themselves and their young families through fulfilling work that pays an adult wage.  Extending the concern with youth and the young people in the UACA, PIT strategies continue to focus on building collaborative partnerships with area schools to develop safe havens and “safe haven programs” in the community, particularly after-school and weekend youth activities. 

Neighborhood Restoration
UACA neighborhoods are being mobilized.  Merchants remain encouraged to clean up the area surrounding their business and to take action to prevent crime.  Youth will be further engaged in activities that promote neighborhood beautification and pride.  A primary strategic goal is to enhance the quality of life in the UACA by reducing neighborhood disorder.  Efforts have been ongoing to organize citizens and businesses on public safety issues, enhance the commercial streetscape, and to improve the cleanliness and appearance of the neighborhoods.  Projects have been initiated with city government that fund efforts to revitalize neighborhoods within the UACA, including improvements in facades, street lighting, sidewalks, etc.