The Uniontown Weed and Seed Program was formed to answer the question "How can we revitalize our neighborhoods if we do not feel safe?" The City of Uniontown and the Redevelopment Authority of the City of Uniontown pursued and were awarded grant funding through the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD) to form a Weed and Seed Program in the Gallatin Avenue, Lafayette, and East
End neighborhoods (i.e., the target area). Funding is used for a Weed and Seed Site Coordinator, an extra police officer and enhanced law enforcement operations in the target area. The program is overseen by the AID Team: a group of residents, non-profit representatives, religious leaders, and city and law enforcement officials.
The official kick-off for the Uniontown Weed and Seed Program was held on Thursday, October 14, 2010, at 6 PM, at the East End United Community Center. Although the AID Team has been meeting for months, the general public was invited to this "unveiling" meeting. Approximately 60 people were in attendance.
This meeting served as a follow-up to the very successful saturation patrols that were conducted on Friday, October 8th and Saturday, October 9th, 2010 by the Uniontown Police Department, PA State Police – Uniontown Barracks, and PA State Police Troop B vice members as well as Pa State Police Aviation division, PA State Parole, Fayette County Tactical Medics, and Fayette County Constables. The patrols resulted in:
o 15 Drug arrests o 7 DUI arrests
o 46 Traffic citations o 13 Warnings
o 5 Felony warrants served o 2 Theft arrests
o 1 Firearm seized o 1 False ID arrest
o 1 Burglary in progress arrest o 1 Public drunk arrest
o 1 Resisting arrest o 2 Misdemeanor warrants seized
o The confiscation of marijuana and various pills and drug paraphernalia.
In addition to Law Enforcement, the program is also focused on:
Community Policing
The National Night Out event held in the East End on August 3rd was an example of this — bringing residents and the police together to increase trust and ultimately to make our neighborhoods safer. The Community Policing Subcommittee is now beginning to work on holding a Citizens Police Academy.
Prevention Intervention Treatment
The prevention, intervention, and treatment component of the Weed and Seed strategy focuses on neighborhood efforts to enhance protective factors while reducing risks, thus promoting behavior that can lead to good health, wellbeing, and personal success. Work by community service workers from the Fayette County Office of Juvenile Probation on the community garden is an example of this. The Prevention Intervention Treatment subcommittee is also working on holding a summer youth camp. More details are to follow in the coming months.
Neighborhood Restoration
The AID Team is working with the Gallatin Avenue, Lafayette, and East End neighborhood groups to fulfill this area of the Weed and Seed Plan. These groups have and will continue to work to revitalize their neighborhoods.
If you are interested in learning more about Weed and Seed or participating in any of the committees, please call (724) 438-4287.
The official kick-off for the Uniontown Weed and Seed Program was held on Thursday, October 14, 2010, at 6 PM, at the East End United Community Center. Although the AID Team has been meeting for months, the general public was invited to this "unveiling" meeting. Approximately 60 people were in attendance.