From: Nigel.Allen@lambada.oit.unc.edu
Subject: HUD, Justice Agree to Combat Crime In Public Housing Developments
Followup-To: alt.activism.d
Originator: rich@pencil.cs.missouri.edu
Organization: ?
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 1992 19:56:01 GMT

Here is a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

 HUD, Justice Sign Agreement to Combat Crime In Public Housing
Developments
 To: National Desk, Housing and Law Enforcement Writers
 Contact:  Anne Voight of the Office of Justice Programs,
           U.S. Department of Justice, 202-307-0703

   WASHINGTON, Oct. 13   -- Attorney General William Barr 
and Jack Kemp, secretary of the Department of Housing and
Urban Development (HUD), today announced that HUD and the
Department of Justice will conduct a joint program designed to
combat violent crime, gang activity and drug trafficking in public
housing developments.
   The Interagency Agreement for Community Policing in Public
Housing between the two federal agencies aims to drive violent
criminals out of public housing developments and restore these
communities so that law-abiding citizens can live free from the
fear of random violence.
   The agreement marks an important development in Operation Weed
and Seed, the administration's comprehensive, multi-agency
initiative to combat violent crime and revitalize distressed
neighborhoods.  "This is an example of how joint Federal agency
efforts can be used to fully implement Operation Weed and Seed in
communities across the nation," the attorney general said.
   Under the agreement, HUD and the Justice Department will develop
and conduct training and technical assistance to institute
community policing in public housing developments.  Community
policing is an important bridge between the enforcement (weeding)
and social services (seeding) components of Operation Weed and
Seed.  Under community policing, law enforcement works closely with
residents of the community so that together they can solve
neighborhood problems that contribute to crime, drug use, gangs and
other illegal activity.  Community policing involves such
techniques as officer foot patrols, citizen neighborhood watches,
targeted mobile units and community relations activities.
   HUD will transfer $1,725,000 in Fiscal Year 1992 funding under
its Training and Technical Assistance Program to the Justice
Department's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), a component of the
Office of Justice Programs (OJP).  BJA will provide approximately
$150,000 in Fiscal Year 1992 and additional funding in Fiscal Year
1993.
   The funds will support joint BJA/HUD development of a training
curriculum and technical assistance plan for implementing community
policing and other elements of Operation Weed and Seed in public
housing developments.  In addition, the funds will support regional
training sessions for public housing officials, residents, law
enforcement and other community representatives.
   Sites for the training and technical assistance will be selected
jointly by BJA and HUD.  The program is expected to be in operation
by early 1993.
   "Violent crime, gang activity and drug trafficking are major
problems in many communities across America," Barr said.  "Nowhere,
however, are these problems more virulent than in public
housing developments.  In some cases, gangs and drug dealers have
virtually taken over these communities, conducting illegal activity
with impunity, terrorizing residents and endangering the lives of
the law-abiding citizens who live there.  The Departments of
Justice and Housing and Urban Development are proud of this
cooperative effort to restore the security of public housing
communities and their residents."
 -30-


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