Wes Hickman (202-224-5972) or Kevin Bishop (864-250-1419)

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham (R-South Carolina) today announced the Pee Dee Community Action Agency in Florence has been awarded a $225,000 grant to support the Weed and Seed program. This is the fifth award to support the program in Florence. Weed and Seed aims to prevent, control, and reduce violent crime, drug abuse, and gang activity in targeted high-crime neighborhoods. The strategy involves a two-pronged approach: law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in ‘weeding out’ criminals who participate in violent crime and drug abuse, attempting to prevent their return to the targeted area; and ‘seeding’ brings human services to the area, encompassing prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood revitalization. During this project period, law enforcement efforts will focus on decreasing crime and violence involving guns and other criminal activities in the designated area. They will also focus on community corrections and alternative sentencing for juveniles. “We need to ensure all our neighborhoods are safe from crime and drug abuse,” said Graham. “The programs funded through these grants take a unique approach to achieving that goal.” The grant was awarded by the U.S. Department of Justice. ####