Weed and Seed

This is a program funded through a grant provided by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency (PCCD). Weed and Seed focuses on community-driven prevention, while it attacks the underlying roots that contribute to crime, such as unemployment, lack of quality education and widespread poverty. It involves collaborative law enforcement efforts between local and state crime fighting teams to eliminate drugs and violence in targeted neighborhoods.

The current boundaries are 12th Street to 26th Street-East Ave. to Cranberry Street. There are five neighborhood crime watches in the Weed and Seed area (Snoops #13, Central City East #22, Central City West #37, Little Italy #32 and South Erie Hillside #31).

The Law Enforcement Coordinator organizes all law enforcement initiatives "Weeding" and also works closely with concerned citizens by assisting in the revitalization of neighborhoods, organizing "Seeding" programs which benefit the community as a whole. The Seeding Programs include: Citizens Police Academy, Junior Police Academy, Police Athletic League, Kids Bike Rodeo and the Cultural Community Education Program.

Since the initiation of the Weed and Seed Program the crime rate has been reduced by 24% in the Weed and Seed target area. In reducing crime within the City of Erie, the highest population within the County, it benefits the County as a whole by making our community more attractive for tourists, new businesses, economic development and home ownership. The current goals of the Weed and Seed Coordinator in the District Attorney's office are to continue to work with City, State and Federal Offices in expanding the Weed and Seed target area, to provide the necessary leveraging of resources and allow the target area to be extended from 12th Street north to the Bayfront area.

The Program has demonstrated measurable success in the reduction of crime, improved neighborhood-police relations, provisions of social services, rehabilitation of housing and home ownership opportunities. However, much remains to be accomplished. Continuing to reduce the crime rate will benefit both the revitalization of areas within the City and contribute to economic development for the City and County of Erie.

If you would like more information about the Weed and Seed Program contact:

If you have information or would like to report suspected drug-related activity, please contact: