Members of the East Chattanooga Weed & Seed Steering Committee joined Mayor Ron Littlefield and Chattanooga Housing Authority Executive Director Bob Dull on Thursday in celebrating a five-year, $1 million grant designed to create safer places for residents to live.
The U.S. Department of Justice awarded the first funding cycle of the East Chattanooga Weed & Seed grant initiative, which officially starts on Monday, Oct. 1. Sgt. Doug Edmisten, the Weed & Seed liaison representing the U.S.
Attorney's Office, also took part in Thursday's press conference where officials shared their high expectations for the grant.
"This is going to allow us to take back our community," said James Moreland, chairman of the East Chattanooga Weed & Seed Steering Committee. Because East Chattanooga is now designated as a Weed & Seed area, Mr. Moreland said persons who commit certain crimes will be subjected to stiffer federal penalties.
The East Chattanooga Weed & Seed grant will provide federal dollars to "weed" out crime in 11 neighborhoods occupied by 15,000 residents with low- to moderate-income levels. Funds will also be used to "seed" in support services to create structured youth activities and safe havens like the Avondale Recreation Center, as well as to promote neighborhood pride and boost economic development.
"This is a dedicated and determined group of residents who have organized themselves and are addressing the various issues affecting our neighborhoods," Mayor Littlefield said. "What began as the Eastside Taskforce has grown from a grassroots initiative into a collaboration of 11 neighborhoods and although we have a lot of hard work that remains to be done, we are confident that we can accomplish it with the help of this Weed and Seed Grant."
From 2004 to 2006, the 11 target neighborhoods in East Chattanooga saw a 50 percent increase in homicides; a 27 percent increase in auto theft; a 25 percent increase in drug arrests; and a 16 percent increase in aggravated assaults. Officials said much of this increase is because of a re-emergence of gang activity in the area.
"We believe brighter days are ahead of us because we'll have more resources to help get rid of the crime in our neighborhoods," Mr. Moreland said. "Whenever a community sees a decrease in crime, there's a better chance of attracting more businesses and creating job for residents."
Last summer, Mayor Littlefield convened a group of community leaders together after two gang-related murders occurred in two public housing communities in a single week. Shortly afterward, City officials decided to apply for the federal Weed & Seed grant with CHA as the fiscal agent.
Mr. Dull said the housing authority has a major investment in East Chattanooga because several public housing communities are located in this area.
"We're very close to opening a new housing complex called The Oaks at Camden that will primarily serve working families," Mr. Dull said. "As the Weed & Seed grant initiative develops, I can see East Chattanooga becoming a hub for more affordable housing opportunities and sustainable economic growth."