Metropolitan Police Chief Cathy L. Lanier announced today the second All Hands On Deck on Friday, July 27, 2007 through Saturday, July 28, 2007, as part of her Summer Crime Initiative.  

All available sworn members of the department, including administrative personnel, will work eight-hour tours of duty and will be placed in assignments throughout the Department’s seven police districts.

Chief Lanier is continuing her effort to improve community-tailored policing and says the Department’s Summer Crime Initiative is having an impact.  “Increased police visibility has helped our communities feel safe.  I’ve heard nothing but positive feedback from residents who welcome more police in their neighborhoods.  We will have additional officers on patrol in cars, on foot, on bikes and on Segways as part of my continuing effort to be proactive about fighting crime, rather than waiting for crime to happen.”

During the first All Hands on Deck (June 8th-9th), the Department made more than 650 arrests, including the closure of four homicide cases – more than doubling the arrest rate compared to the same time period in 2006.

Officers have been given days-off during this week to negate overtime costs.  As anticipated, the cost of the first All Hands on Deck was approximately $1.2 million, which covered the overtime costs for both sworn and civilian personnel.

During All Hands On Deck, additional law enforcement members will be placed in the department’s Sixth and Seventh Districts in response to the rash of shootings that occurred last week.  Additional officers will be assigned from the Special Operations Division, Redeployment Detail and Team D.C. which consists of members of the department, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the United States Marshal’s Service.

The Summer Crime Initiative is designed to curb traditional spikes in crime experienced during the summer months.  As part of the initiative, District commanders will employ strategies intended to target violent offenders, theft, robbery, prostitution, traffic safety compliance and neighborhood mediation.