Washington, D.C.  - Congressman Dale E. Kildee (D-MI) announced today that the United Way of Genesee County has been awarded a $200,000 federal grant to finance the Weed and Seed Program.  The U.S. Department of Justice awarded the grant to the United Way’s Flint North Central Weed and Seed program to help fight against the use of illegal drugs and drug-related crime in the Flint area. 

“The Weed and Seed Program has been successful nationwide and right here in Flint,” said Kildee.  “We must continue to provide law enforcement with the tools and resources necessary to ensure that our neighborhoods in Flint are safe and drug-free family environments.”

The Flint North Central Weed and Seed site first received official recognition in 1997 and was recertified in 2003.  The focal neighborhood of the program is encompassed by Carpenter Road on the north, Pierson road on the south, Boulevard-East on the east, and Dupont Street on the west. 

“This progressive program inspires prevention by enhancing opportunities for youth and providing positive adult interaction and guidance,” said Kildee.

The U.S. Department of Justice’s Weed and Seed Program was developed to demonstrate an innovative and comprehensive approach to law enforcement and community revitalization.  The program aims to “weed” out violent crime, gang activity, and drug use and trafficking in target areas, and then “seed” the area by encouraging social and economic revitalization.  Weed and Seed integrates law enforcement, community policing, prevention, intervention, treatment and neighborhood restoration efforts.