OPERATION WEED AND SEED:
A plan of action for the West Ocala community, to combat violent crime, drug use and gangs.

The Weed & Seed strategy recognizes the importance of integrating
federal, state and local law enforcement and criminal justice efforts with corresponding human services, private and community resources
to maximize the impact of existing progams. It also recognizes the importance of community involvement- residents involved in solving problems in their own neighborhoods in a meaningful way.

The Weed & Seed grant includes a large part of West Ocala and a
small section of northeast Ocala.

The progam is funded by a grant from the U.S Department of Justice. The "weed" components include a combined federal, state and Ocala Police Task Force which utilizes bicycle patrol officers, and undercover operations to prosecute as many offendes as possible in federal court. During 1996-98 there were 700 weed arrests with 8 federal indictments. Murders in the target area were reduced to zero from the year before and 16 in 1989. Bicycle squad activity responded to 2,119 cases. There were five search warrants issued, nine reverse sting operations and massive arrest sweeps. Almost 33,000 youth and families were served from "Seed" programs last year.

The application for this grant was originally made by various agencies who saw the intense need in the West Ocala community to rid the neighborhood of drug related crime and the deterioration caused by drug related activities.

What does all this really mean to you, your family and children and your community?

It means while law enforcement is busy ridding your neighborhood of drug related activities, you have access to tutoting and counseling programs, nutrition information, crisis, referral services for youth and familes, street patrols, education assistance, scholarship funds, college prep classes, recreation opportunties, small business development and much, much more!