WEED AND SEED AIMS TO ROOT OUT CRIME

Operation Weed and Seed, a U.S. Department of Justice initiative, is pumping significant federal dollars into Southeast Missouri.

The program is funneling $750,000 this year to targeted neighborhoods in Cape Girardeau, Sikeston, Charleston, Poplar Bluff and Caruthersville. It's a considerable amount of money -- more than the entire Area Wide United Way collections of $690,000.

The program is designed to weed out violent crime, drug use and gang activity. It also seeds the communities with resources, opportunities and education.

It is good to see that Cape Girardeau Police Chief Rick Hetzel is the new president of the regional Weed and Seed board. No doubt he will keep on top of the accounting to ensure dollars are being used in the best way to fight crime and help those in need. It will also be important for the board to share both the budget and the results with the public since they foot the bill.

Weed and Seed coordinators have been hired in each community. The grant will fund their salaries. But the board will also award grants to various community programs and initiatives.

Monthly meetings have been established in target neighborhoods. Neighbors should take an active interest in making the areas crime-free through such programs as neighborhood watch.

Police can't be everywhere at all times. They need the eyes and the ears of the community -- and particularly these targeted neighborhoods -- to clamp down on illegal activities.

This sizable budget can transform Weed and Seed goals into tangible success stories across Southeast Missouri.