WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The Wichita City Council approved a request by police Tuesday for a federal partnership in an effort to address a surge in violent crime.
Police want help from the U.S. Marshals Service as gun violence escalates in the city. Police Chief Gordon Ramsey said Monday that shooting numbers have risen sharply over the past year.
Nine people were shot over the past weekend, including a police officer who was shot in the head and legs.
The partnership with the U.S. Marshals Service is known as Operation Triple Beam. It is a 60-day effort starting in July with a goal of investigating and arresting people who have active state or federal arrest warrants.
Officials say the operation will target violent crimes, weapons offenses and felony drug offenses.