Weed and Seed program could fall victim to city budget battleby Dustin Grove (grove@wsbt.com)
The summer tennis program is one of many projects of the South Bend Weed & Seed Alliance. Police say the programs have worked to cut down crime on the West Side, but city budget problems could put the program in jeopardy. (WSBT file photo) SOUTH BEND — City leaders are painting a bleak picture when it comes to the future of South Bend's budget. They say they have no choice but to make drastic cuts after losing a projected $21 million in property tax revenue. That could mean trouble for a community program that's helping cut down on crime. "We try to weed out the negative and seed in the positives,” explained Mark Dollinger of the South Bend Weed & Seed Alliance. From summer tennis programs, to graffiti cleanup to overtime police patrols to cut down on crime, South bend police and neighborhood groups have been "weeding and seeding" on the West Side for five years with help from federal government grants. "We've worked with some of these kids since first or second grade, and now they're in fourth, fifth, sixth grades,” said Dollinger. Police say crime in the area is down as a result, but whether this program continues is very much in question right now. The city has applied for new federal grants, but this time it has to come up with matching local grants as well. And with millions looming in mandatory budget cuts, city officials aren't so sure Weed & Seed can continue. It is one program among many facing the chopping block, from park pools to municipal golf courses, and neighborhood centers, too. "We have a myriad of good programs that are all in the same situation,” Pamela Meyer who works for the city. Proving it's not just fat to be trimmed from the budget -- but potentially muscle and bone as well. City leaders will meet again Wednesday for round two of their budget battle. Most PopularMore Good Stuff |
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