Authorizing the US Attorney to Submit an Application - Weed & Seed

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FY 2008 WEED AND SEED COMMUNITIES APPLICATION '- ~,; o From 2000 to 2007, the number of vacant and abandoned housing units in the proposed area rose from 340 to 918: in 2007, 14% of all housing units in the proposed area were vacant and abandoned. See Attached May "Housing Conditions in the Proposed Northwest W&S Area III C-10 The South Bend Tribune published a series of stories on abandoned housing March 12-15, 2006. Susan Adamek, a member of the Weed & Seed Steering Committee, was quoted at the time on the vacant properties in her neighborhood in the proposed area: "It's like a disease right now. It's one of our biggest concerns...." Businesses along Lincoln Way West, the proposed area's primary commercial corridor, complain about youth congregating in their parking lots after hours, leaving trash, vandalizing property, and exchanging gunfire. Within the proposed area north of Lincoln Way West, neighborhoods are known for drug dealing, while the commercial corridor itself has a reputation for prostitution. Without a comprehensive approach to abate this crime and physical decay, the neighborhood's sense of a loss of social control will inhibit initiative, investment, and improvement. Comprehensive analysis of the persistent juvenile and adult drug and violent crime problems in the designated area compared to the city or county-at-large: Arrest data for 2004-2006, reveal that juvenile arrests for several Part 1 and Part 2 violations were more concentrated in the proposed area: Violation # Citywide # in W&5 area % of total in W&s area Arson 6 3 50.0% Curfew violation 167 57 32.2% Rape 8 2 25.0% Auto theft 58 12 20.7% Weapons violations 22 4 18.9% Runaways 1,553 264 17.0% Drug/Alcohol abuse 203 27 13.3% Description/prioritization of the top four most pressing community needs and gaps: The top four most pressing community needs and gaps identified during the Community Needs Assessment were: • Safe Havens o Limited safe locations offering service delivery for youth and adults • Crime prevention activities o Violent crime o Illegal drug activity • Educational activities o Lack of educational/recreational/cultural opportunities for youth o Lack of educational opportunities for adults • Employment /Training o High unemployment o Lack of job skills F:\DATA\SHARE\DPND\Weed&Seed\2008 Application\2008 Application\Final format for application.doc g