Lehigh Acres should be proud of its citizens’ efforts to make our community a better place. The economic downturn has severely strained our resources and contributed to a hole within our community. Members of our community are actively involved in a solution to repair that hole: Weed and Seed.

The U.S. Department of Justice started Operation Weed and Seed in 1991. Since that time the program has expanded to more than 300 high-crime neighborhoods in the nation. A suburb of Phoenix, Arizona saw a 48 percent decrease in drug related calls, weapon offenses dropped 28 percent and they created homework clubs that improved end of grade test scores by 130 percent.

The South Bronx Overall Economic Development Corp. instituted a Weed and Seed Program in 2002 that has resulted in a 38 percent reduction in homicides, a 5 percent reduction in robberies, a 13 percent reduction in aggravated assaults, a 24 percent reduction in burglaries and 20 percent reduction in drug arrests in the site.

Nearby Immokalee had similar successes with its program beginning in 2002. We want the same for Lehigh Acres.

Weed and Seed is a community-based, multi-agency approach to law enforcement, crime prevention and neighborhood restoration. Its strategy is two pronged:

Citizens, law enforcement and federal agencies work together to “weed out” the worst of a community;

“Seeding” brings enhanced social services, youth and family programs and neighborhood revitalization to the area.

Our steering committee includes a diverse representation of community members and civic organizations as well as the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Drug Enforcement Administration, Lee County Sheriff’s Office, Lee County Human Services and Lee County Commissioner Frank Mann.

Weed and Seed is successful because it leverages a community’s resources. The result of that leveraging is new partnerships with neighbors and local agencies.

The Weed and Seed will make a more efficient and effective way of continuing the lifestyle that we want with existing resources. This initiative brought together a dedicated group of people to work on projects that improve Lehigh Acres’ quality of life. It’s working.

Neighborhood restoration: Human Services is working with Weed and Seed members to leverage $18 million in federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program funding for foreclosed and abandoned homes.

Neighborhood cleanups: About 200 volunteers have removed nearly 10 tons of trash in an effort to clean up neighborhoods. More cleanups are planned.

Code Enforcement: Residents are assisting Lee County Code Enforcement personnel in identifying code violations. Not always by fining the individuals but by helping to resolve the issues.

Neighborhood Watch: Our goal is to triple the number of groups in the site from eight to 24. Eight new units have already been established since November.

These projects are being accomplished using existing resources. We will continue to do so, and if funded, will use Justice Department grant dollars to supplement our services in the community.

A Weed and Seed evaluation by the National Institute of Justice shows that collaborative efforts between law enforcement, social service providers and the community can reduce crime and improve the quality of life in a community.

Please call 477-1485 if you wish to help. Additional information and success stories are available online at www.lehighacresweedandseed.com.

Bo Turbeville is chairman of the Lehigh Acres Weed and Seed group. – Ed.