Federal funds target N. Side Weed and Seed

staff report

YOUNGSTOWN — The U.S. Justice Department has awarded $150,000 to Youngstown State University for the city’s North Side Weed and Seed program, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio announced.

The program will focus on law enforcement efforts to reduce the number of drug houses and homicides in the area of the North Side.

“These federal funds will help bolster law enforcement efforts in Youngstown and address pressing public health issues,” said Brown. “This is a smart investment for the community and a wise investment for the nation. We all benefit when more children grow up healthy and fewer children are exposed to drugs and violent crime.”

The federal funds will be used to increase the number of block watches and community and law enforcement interaction in an effort to solve the problems of high drug use and homicide in the North Side area. Funds will also be used to increase drug and alcohol prevention and provide alternative activities for children, and reduce the number of sleep-related infant deaths.

The North Side area will use part of these funds to implement neighborhood restoration goals including collaboration among existing businesses to create a more attractive business environment and improve the overall appearance of residential and commercial areas.