Media Release

4:59 p.m.

ALACHUA COUNTY -- A Back-To-School Community Party is being hosted by the Alachua County Department of Community Support Services (CSS), Partners for a Productive Community (a division of CSS), and the Alachua County Sheriff's Office on August 12 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Cedar Ridge Sheriff's Office Substation, 504 SW 67th Terrace, Gainesville.

This is an annual event in which the County reaches out to Cedar Ridge Community residents. The Sheriff's Office uses this as an opportunity to do outreach in a "Weed and Seed Community" where they are actively involved in crime reduction and prevention.

The Weed and Seed Strategy is funded by a U.S. Department of Justice grant. The strategy is a comprehensive response to crime and neighborhood deterioration. Law enforcement agencies and prosecutors cooperate in "weeding" out criminals in the target area and "seeding" the area with prevention, intervention, treatment, and neighborhood revitalization services.

The Back-To-School Community Party is a way for the County to promote the services it provides in Cedar Ridge and also promote Community Support Services and Partners for a Productive Community.

There will be good food, music, face-painting, as well as organized games for the kids with prizes. Deputy Borie Hudson will be giving 25 new backpacks to the kids in the 4-H Club. CHOICES information packets will be distributed.

For more information about the Back-To-School Community Party, please contact Deputy Borie Hudson at (352) 359-0238 or CSS Program Specialist Shail Ramcharan at (352) 278-1047.

For more information on the Weed and Seed Strategy, please visit the website at www.alachuacounty.us/government/depts/css/ppc/weedseed.aspx.

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