PORT ARTHUR, Texas — The Port Arthur Police Department is rolling out a new crime-fighting unit to focus primarily on violent crime.
The department's Crime Response Unit has been in the works for months in spite of a recent uptick in violent crime in the city according to Detective Mike Hebert.
The chief was waiting for more manpower to assemble the unit Hebert said.
“We kind of refer to this unit as the tip of the spear,” Hebert said. “This is a unit that is going to really attack violent crime in the city. That's going to be their number one function."
The team will rely on violent crime statistics to identify areas prone to more violence Detective Hebert said.
One of the most latest in a number of recent violent crimes in the city was the drive-by shooting. that left a 4-year-old with a gunshot wound to his back.
Police are also investigating a recent home invasion in which three men from different cities were taken into custody.
"When incidents like that happen at 11 o'clock at night, this unit will be on the street ready to tackle those issues," Hebert said.
The department is optimistic this will help solve a growing problem in the city of Port Arthur.
Wednesday night will be the first time the new unit will hit the streets.
The department is still actively recruiting new officers for the unit.