Weed and Seed

Daytona Beach’s Weed and Seed program was federally designated in 2004.

Weed and Seed is a strategy--rather than a grant program-- which aims to prevent, control and reduce violent crime, drug abuse and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods across the country. The strategy involves a two-pronged approach: law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in "weeding out" criminals who participate in violent crime and drug abuse, attempting to prevent their return to the targeted area; and "seeding" brings human services to the area, encompassing prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood revitalization.

A community-orientated policing component bridges weeding and seeding strategies. Officers obtain helpful information from area residents for weeding efforts while they aid residents in obtaining information about community revitalization and seeding resources.

Key Elements in the Weed and Seed Strategy

• Law Enforcement
• Community Policing
• Prevention, Intervention and Treatment
• Neighborhood Restoration

Daytona Beach Target Area

Daytona Beach’s Weed and Seed area is a three square mile area which includes two inner-city neighborhoods - Old Town, a community located south of International Speedway Boulevard and New Town, north of International Speedway Boulevard. The designated boundaries are Nova Road (State Road 5A) as the western boundary, Mason Avenue (State Road 430) as the northern boundary, the railroad tracks (FEC) as the eastern boundary, and Shady Place as the southern boundary.

Strategies

Law Enforcement
Daytona Beach Police Department conducts operations to disrupt the illicit drug trafficking, which is the predominate crime affecting the Weed and Seed target sites. 

Community Policing Strategy
Daytona Beach police officers also participate in community-based crime prevention programs designed to establish a pro-active relationship between the police and the community.

Prevention /Intervention/ Treatment
Develop partnerships with service providers to help assess programs and services, and where there is a need, fill the gaps by coordinating and mobilizing appropriate resources to the area. Programs should include numerous social and sports activities that provide residents with the skills to deter gang participation, substance abuse and criminal activities.

Neighborhood Restoration
Eliminate and reduce negative factors that adversely affect the quality of life, including crime and drug trafficking, slum and blight. Improve physical conditions, rehabilitate housing, provide job training for both youth and adults and restore amenities. 

The Daytona Beach Steering Committee meets monthly at 5:30 p.m. on the second Wednesday at the Dickerson Community Center, 308 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. 

For more information, please contact 386-671-5406, fax 386-671-3339. 

Weed and Seed Office
129 Valor Blvd.
Daytona Beach, FL  32114