Weed and Seed Initiative: Gang-Related Crackdown (Florida, U.S.A.)
Axios
Problems addressed
Effectiveness

No Effect

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No Effect

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Life periods served
Where the program was applied
Country of application
Description

This is a multi-agency community program focused on dismantling gangs. The goal is to enforce the law, prevent crime and restore neighborhoods.

The strategy envisioned establishing and maintaining contact with citizens interested in crime reduction, as well as providing additional resources for prevention and problem-solving practices. The gang dismantling initiative targeted two gangs involved in violent crime and drug trafficking. Thirty-eight convictions followed an 18-month investigation of members of both gangs.

Impact evaluations

An impact evaluation showed that there was no statistically significant reduction in violent crime and drug trafficking rates in the target area. Trafficking increased significantly over a 3-month period after the arrests. There is no evidence that crime had shifted out of the target area [1].

Bibliographic reference

[1] Roman, C. G., Cahill, M., Coggeshall, M., Lagerson, E., & Courtney, S. (2005). The weed and seed initiative and crime displacement in South Florida: An examination of spatial displacement associated with crime control initiatives and the redevelopment of public housing. Washington, DC: Urban Institute, Justice Policy Center.