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Anti-Crime Initiative Launched After Rash Of Violence In Yonkers

YONKERS, N.Y. --  Following an uptick in crime in certain parts of Yonkers, Mayor Mike Spano and police announced the relaunch of "Operation Clean Sweep," on Wednesday.

Yonkers police's Mobile Command Center is being utilized to help cutdown on crime.

Yonkers police's Mobile Command Center is being utilized to help cutdown on crime.

Photo Credit: Suzanne Samin

On Monday, one teen was shot in the area of Locust Hill, and another teen was stabbed near Downing Street in a separate incident.

 The week before a teen was shot as he walked home from a party and in late July, several incidents of violence took place including a drive-by shooting of a woman, a fight during a street party, and the fatal shooting of a 26-year-old man, among numerous other incidents.

Used in the past to attack spot-crime zones, the "Clean Sweep" initiative is a coordinated effort by several city agencies to pull resources to attack problem areas.

Assistant Chief Tim Hodges said during a press conference that two areas have experienced several incidents of shootings and assaults, but are not a reflection of current trends in the city. 

Despite the recent crimes, violent crime is down 14 percent this year; shootings are down 23 percent, and robberies are down 39 percent, police said.

The areas of concern include Nodine Hill and the Cottage Place Gardens Houses along with the surrounding vicinity,  police said.

To help knock down the rise in incidents, the department has deployed its Mobile Command Center, along with its Community Affairs and Emergency Service Personnel, as well as increased patrols to the targeted areas, Hodges said.

Police said most the recent acts of violence are being committed by two groups who are fighting each other and are responding with back-and-forth crimes.

Most of those involved have been identified and are being monitored, police added.

"All of the recent shooting victims were in fact targeted for some personal reason," Hodges said. "We haven’t experienced any random acts of violence."

Added to the initiative, police are also asking residents to contact the police if they see or hear any violence taking place. They are also asking for witnesses to the recent shootings and stabbings to step forward. 

To contact the Detective Division, call 914-377-7724 or text the keyword YPD with the tip to 847411.

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