Increasing shooting incidents in the District of Columbia have led the police department to intensify its patrols. A total of 115 officers were reportedly given overtime by Mayor Muriel Bowser.
On Tuesday, D.C. Police Chief Peter Newsham held a press conference on the issue together with Mayor Bowser, announcing that more officers will be mobilized on the streets of the city due to growing number of shootings this year.
“I want to be clear: We intend to use whatever additional resources that are needed to get the shootings under control,” Newsham was quoted as saying by WTOP during the event.
The District has so far seen 131 murders in 2019, the latest of which was the killing of a 19-year-old man while on a moped in Northwest on September 29.
Newsham explained that the police often received help from the public to solve shooting cases. According to him, police presence will be boosted in the 3rd, 5th and 6th districts in order to make the areas safer.
Columbia Heights is another area, where higher number of officers will be deployed at. In September, five individuals were shot and one died in Columbia Heights. The vehicle involved in the incident is still being searched for. People who have possible information on the vehicle are encouraged to call D.C. police at 202-727-9099.
Speaking of the planned measures, the police chief said that his department has a responsibility to make communities feel safe.
Between July 18 and 22 this year, seven people, including a 11-year-old, were killed in shooting incidents in the District.