Published: May 31, 2009 12:16 am      

WEED AND SEED: Planting the seeds to success

Nick D’Agostino was walking in the 2400 block of Niagara Street at 8 a.m. Friday when he spotted what he believes were a couple of prostitutes and their pimp standing in front of a church and waving down potential customers.

He wasn’t surprised.

“I see things like that every day in this neighborhood,” he said sadly. “Something really needs to be done.”

Increased efforts from block club members, combined with extra police presence, have made a dent along Niagara Street but there are many quality of life issues and concerns over crime activity still not being addressed in the neighborhood. Fortunately, community leaders soon may have a new tool to aid them in their fight.

An application was submitted last summer to the U.S. Department of Justice’s Weed and Seed Program. If approved, it would bring in up to $1 million in federal funds over a five-year period that’s specifically designed for aiding law enforcement efforts and building up communities. The proposed Weed and Seed area, which would be the city’s second designation, encompasses South End neighborhoods stretching from Pine to Buffalo avenues and Main Street to Packard Court, said Allen Booker, community policing liaison.

“We’re hoping to hear something by the end of the summer,” Booker said. “This would be a tremendous boost for the entire South End.”

The national Weed and Seed program started in 1991 and involves a two-pronged approach: law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in "weeding out" criminals and attempt to prevent their return to the targeted area; and "seeding" implements human services, such as prevention, intervention, treatment and neighborhood revitalization.

Sites are eligible to receive annual awards up to $200,000 for five consecutive years, which is split evenly between weeding and seeding efforts. There are currently more than 250 sites across the country and the application process is long and competitive. Last year, only 20 new sites were approved, Booker said.

However, Niagara Falls may have an advantage thanks to plenty of successes scored from its Weed and Seed designation in the North End. Awarded in 2003, the site brought in the maximum $1 million and fueled an overall reduction of crime, specifically in the areas of drug use, prostitution and gun violence and robberies.

“We did a pretty good job, and not only from a crime standpoint,” Falls Police Superintendent John Chella said. “A lot of people in Niagara Falls have pride in their community and that translates into improvements.”

On the seeding end, numerous youth leadership and mentoring programs were established, as well as neighborhood outreach and beautification efforts, said Booker, who served as coordinator of the North End Weed and Seed. Though the funding ended last year, the program continues to run and is fueled by a variety of other grants and contributions.

“Being able to list all of the things we’ve done in the North End helps with our argument on why we want the money for the

South End,” Booker said. “It’s all about partnerships with your community, that’s how Weed and Seed works.”

Christine Sanborn, a lifelong resident of Cudaback Avenue and secretary of the South End Weed and Seed steering committee, marveled at the number of improvements and initiatives created over the past several years in the North End.

“It’s made a very positive influence for them, and we hope it will do the same here,” she said, pointing out her neighborhood consists of an aging population worried about their safety and security. “This area has long been neglected in our needs and it has spiraled into a situation where it now demands attention.”

The South End steering committee formed in 2007 to begin the Weed and Seed application process and identify quality of life issues. Booker said partnerships include the city, police department, block clubs, business associations, Niagara Falls Housing Authority, Neighborhood Housing Services and the U.S. Attorney’s office just to name a few.

Though it’s still waiting to hear on the application, the committee meets monthly and is developing a strategy to increase quality of life for South End residents and brainstorm initiatives that can be implemented without Weed and Seed. So far, most of those have targeted neighborhoods along the east stretch of Niagara Street, with the biggest initiative being a proposed police substation near the 19th Street corridor.

“It’s something we definitely need,” said Steve Dojka, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1957. “The 19th Street area seems to be a hot bed of crime. It’s sad to see.”

The new substation, initially funded through Community Development grants and later expanded as part of Weed and Seed, would be housed on the lower level of the former Nick’s Beauty Supply and Clothing building near 19th and Niagara streets. The surrounding area has become one of the highest crime neighborhoods in the city, despite increased efforts over the past two years.

“Things have gotten better, but we’ll be able to do so much more with a new substation and Weed and Seed funding,” said Chella, adding the federal dollars help pay for police overtime to do raids and after-hour crime reduction programs. “Without Weed and Seed, we’re going to do what we have to do to get the crime rate down, but even if this application is refused, we’re going to apply again and keep trying.”

Ron Anderluh, chairman of the South End Weed and Seed committee and revitalization coordinator of the Niagara Street Business Association, said the neighborhood has the same problems as others throughout Niagara Falls, including crime, absentee landlords and abandoned and blighted properties.

“We’re trying to stay on top of everything, but we can’t do it ourselves,” Anderluh said about the efforts of area block clubs and community leaders. “We need that Weed and Seed presence in this area. Working together is how we’re going to get things accomplished.”

Pointing out the current Weed and Seed application targets the entire South End, Booker said funding also would be used to expand youth programming at the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, enhance youth crime prevention and outreach programs, such as police and fire academies, increase homeownership opportunities for residents through education programs and address abandoned properties and sanitation issues.

“There’s really so much we could do if we get this money,” he said.

Contact reporter Rick Forgione

at 282-2311, ext. 2257.