More officers will be working the streets in Washington, D.C.'s violence-plagued neighborhoods as part of an effort to try to reduce crime and solve cases.
There have been more than 130 homicides in the District so far this year and overall violent crime is up compared to the last year, police say.
Mayor Muriel Bowser and Police Chief Peter Newsham announced Tuesday that 115 officers with the Narcotics and Special Investigations Division will put in overtime hours to find violent offenders and recover illegal firearms.
"What we’re seeing in the city is way too many shootings," Newsham said at a news conference. "The idea behind the patrol is to target the areas where we have had the violence, theres two things the patrols officers can do, they can engage the community potentially get leads relative to the shootings that occurred, but in addition to that, I think the increased visibility will make folks feel safer."
Some residents told News4 they're skeptical about the increased patrols.
"I believe it’s a good tactic if it's used the correct way, but in my community police don’t protect and serve - they harass," Joshua Agyupong said.
"If they really wanted to they’d come out here and talk to people in the community like y'all are doing and see what's going on, be apart of the community," Dorothy Tucker said.
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One woman who is raising her children in Ward 8 says she's had enough of the violence.
"I'm trying to get away from here. I'm trying to get my kids away as soon as possible, sadly to say," Britney McKnight said.
