Grand Rapids Police Taking Steps To Curb Gun Violence

GRAND RAPIDS (AP) — Grand Rapids Police will deploy more patrol units and plainclothes officers in targeted areas of the city this weekend as it reacts to an increase in gun violence over the last two months.

Chief David Rahinsky said Friday the initiative called Operation Safe Streets also will include foot and bicycle patrols at times and the deployment of a mobile command post.

He's asking residents to support police responding to crimes and to report crimes they see being committed.

Police say that in October, the city had one shooting death and nine attempted slayings. That followed two slayings and two attempted slayings in September. The city had 62 firearm-related incidents over those two months.

Rahinsky says the gun violence is "unacceptable."

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