Weed and Seed Grant Used to Stop Burglaries

(posted Nov 17)

Eagledale Lafayette Square Area Weed and Seed money was used for the first time on November 13 by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Northwest Police District to stop the burglaries in the area of 34th Street and Moller Road. Weed and Seed is a Department of Justice five year grant program of $1 million to weed out crime and to seed the neighborhood with anti-crime programs.

According to IMPD Northwest District Commander Major Paul Ciesielski, police surveillance led to the arrest of juveniles that were suspended from school as the suspects committing home burglaries.

"They become our problem when they are not in school," he said. He reported the police detail used $140.00 of the grant.

Harry Simpson, Eagledale Neighborhood Association President, expressed his concern about the recent numbers of armed robberies that have have been reported near his home. He contended the armed robberies posed a greater threat of violence because the perpetrator is carrying a weapon.

Ciesielski indicated they would be able to apply more resources to the area to combat the crime since the police district received a robbery grant in addition to the weed and seed money of $175,000.

Reverend Steve Horsman, chairman of the seed committee, said the group is trying to develop programs that the youth initiate instead of the committee developing the programs for the youth to accept.

Mary Clark, of the seed committee, said they had met with about six youths to find out their interests. To her surprise, they were interested in learning life skills such as filling out job applications or managing checking accounts rather than participating in recreational activities.

Horsman explained the committee is also working with Northwest High School dads to become more involved with their kids. The program will focus on developing parenting skills as well as taking an interest in school functions.

Mark Killgo is now steering committee chair, replacing Tim Horty of the US District Attorney's Office as part of the requirement to have a citizen driven program. Killgo also started the business crime watch in the Lafayette Square Area.

The next meeting is December 11 at 5701 W. 34th Street, 6:30 p.m. The group will discuss the draft plan and the activities that qualify to apply for the DOJ 2008 funding. Barbara Roger of IMPD grant unit said the guidelines for funding programs are simple. "Don't fund activities that you don't want to explain on the 6 O'clock news." She noted one weed and seed group in Missouri funded a weight watcher's program for senior citizens. She said it was a good cause but it was irrelevant to fighting crime.