DETROIT (WWJ) -- Detroit police officers will begin conducting a special operation in hopes of cutting down on violent crimes.
Detroit Police Chief James White announced Operation Saniyah on Tuesday as officers targeted criminal behavior on the city's east side.
Operations on the west side will commence on Wednesday.
After a weekend in which two people were killed and 32 others wounded in shootings, police will be looking for those who have committed violent crimes. Chief James White says this is a more focused approach, but goes hand in hand with the department's community policing and foot patrols.
"We're going to go out and we're going to constitutionally enforce the law," said White. "We're going to look for those people who are known to carry weapons and those people who have warrants out for their arrest for felonies."
White said people who violated their tether, their parole and their probation will also be included. And lastly, officers will be tracking down those who have committed non-fatal shootings and homicides.
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"There has to be a penalty for breaking the law and this is about enforcing that penalty -- and ensuring people are locked up that have violated the law," said White.
White said Operation Saniyah was named for 11-year-old Saniyah Pugh who was shot and killed while inside her grandmother's home on June 4. Two suspects have been charged for the shooting.
The operation will be happening throughout the summer.
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