BROWNSVILLE, N.Y. (PIX11) -- The NYPD rolled out a new initiative to help fight gun violence, this is in addition to the many tolls the department is already employing.
You can now expect to see more Community Affairs officers in areas where there is a spike in gun violence and they are starting in a park in Brownsville.
The new approach comes after recent gun violence silenced music in Livonia Park last week, when two people were shot.
Deputy Commissioner of Community Affairs Mark Stewart said, "I've been doing this for 40-years and it disheartens me to see older people can't come out and enjoy the park and walk the streets feeling safe."
Commissioner Stewart said it's a small percentage of people trying to make this the wild wild west and it will not be tolerated.
PIX11 News cameras were the only cameras there when officers made their presence known in Livonia Park.
The Community Affairs officers already have a connection to the community, something they plan on using to help generate tips and leads on violent crime. Commissioner Stewart also said "kids are getting younger and younger and they are carrying guns and our kids should be in school, we are setting up a new program in community policing to make sure the community sees us."
So far this year alone in the confines of the 73rd Precinct, police responded to 32 shootings compared to 17 for the same time period last year.
This initiative also keeps the community and police working together, a beneficial relationship so far.
Assistant Commissioner Alden Foster said an example of that relationship is what happened in Queens with the community helping police apprehend a rape suspect.
Residents in the area welcome the extra police presence, a visiting nurse who grew up in Brownsville said "I feel safe seeing them here, we need help so this is a good thing."
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