WEED & SEED GETS $175,000 GRANT

FORT PIERCE -- They knew it was a long shot and didn't want to get their
hopes up.

But supporters of Weed & Seed of St. Lucie County had their prayers
answered Friday.

The local crime-fighting and social service initiative received a $175,000
grant from the United States Department of Justice.

"It will give us that boost we needed desperately to move forward," said
Executive Director Mary Alice Bennett.

The federal funding will serve a variety of purposes: Paying overtime for
law enforcement officers, creating prevention programs for youths, offering
vocational training and hiring a person to perform community outreach to
promote Weed & Seed of St. Lucie County's efforts.

Initially, the local program was denied funding. Statewide, only one such
program in north Miami received any federal funding.

"Although we were really disappointed, we weren't surprised," said
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim McAdams, a member of the Weed & Seed steering
committee.

After reviewing a miscalculation, the U.S. Department of Justice, which
oversees the Weed & Seed programs, determined the St. Lucie County
affiliate does match the criteria for a site that could receive federal
funding.

"I have been writing grants for 25 years and never seen anything like
this," Bennett said.

Weed & Seed of St. Lucie received extra points because it will hire a site
coordinator to oversee various programs and activities at its "Safe Haven"
sites. The City Commission approved a $50,000 grant to help fill the position.

The $175,000 federal grant is renewable annually provided the program shows
results, McAdams said.

There might also be bonus funds available if legislators don't cut the Weed
& Seed program, Bennett said.

The goal of a Weed & Seed program is to "weed" out violent or habitual
offenders and plant the "seeds" of social services.

The local program seeks to reclaim neighborhoods with high crime rates and
low incomes covering roughly two square miles. The boundaries are from
Orange Avenue in the south to 17th Street in the east, 33rd Street in the
west and reaching into the northern part of the county.