National Process Evaluation of Operation Weed and Seed. Research in Brief

摘要

The U.S. Department of Justice launched Operation Weed and Seed in 1991 to211u001edemonstrate that a large array of resources can be mobilized in a comprehensive, 211u001ecoordinated effort to control crime and drugs and to improve the quality of life 211u001ein targeted high-crime neighborhoods. The initiative's name was drawn from its 211u001etwo-pronged strategy: to 'weed out' violent offenders through intensive law 211u001eenforcement and prosecution and to 'seed' the neighborhood with prevention, 211u001eintervention, treatment, and revitalization services. An integral part of this 211u001estrategy involves community policing, which is designed to bridge the gap between 211u001eweeding and seeding. Despite differences in the size and nature of target 211u001eneighborhoods and in the severity of crime and drug problems, 19 cities were 211u001eawarded approximately $1.1 million each for an 18-month demonstration period. The 211u001eprograms were initiated between April and December 1992, and the national process 211u001eevaluation, supported by the National Institute of Justice, began in early 1993 211u001eto gather information on program implementation activities through the end of 211u001ethat year. Its purpose was to document and assess the implementation and 211u001eactivities of the 19 Weed and Seed demonstration projects. The primary data 211u001ecollection methods were: Two site visits to each project to interview key staff, 211u001esteering committee members, and community representatives. A review and content 211u001eanalysis of program materials, including grant applications, progress reports, 211u001esteering committee meeting minutes, and policy memorandums. Surveys of program 211u001estaff to gather uniform cross-site information on the key elements of program and 211u001etarget area characteristics, law enforcement tactics and arrests, prosecution 211u001etactics and case processing, community policing activities, and seeding efforts. 211u001eThis Research in Brief summarizes the findings of the national process evaluation 211u001eby offering an overview of how the sites structured and operated their programs 211u001eand by discussing the implications of their efforts for future programs of this 211u001etype.