In the wake of the shootings over the weekend, Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today directed that police resources be added to suppress further violence, including the assignment of additional uniformed officers to public housing developments citywide, deployment of Skywatch towers and TerraHawk vehicles to the vicinity of the shootings (TerraHawks are mobile versions of the Skywatch camera-equipped observation towers), and the deployment of plainclothes officers assigned to borough and precinct-based anti-crime units during the shooting-prone hours experienced recently.

In addition, Warrants Division personnel will focus on the nine commands that experienced multiple shootings this weekend in order to arrest individuals wanted on outstanding warrants.

Investigators are also monitoring gang-affiliated street crews for any evidence of planned retaliation based on shootings over the weekend, in which 26 individuals were shot, seven fatally. Three of the victims who sustained non-fatal injuries were under the age of 16.

Even after including the seven shooting deaths during the 72-hour period from Friday through Sunday, homicides are still down 24% year-to-date for a total of 127 through Sunday – or 40 fewer than the same period last year.

Similarly, shooting incidents year-to-date are down 27% and the number of persons shot declined by 29% so far this year compared to the same period last year.See More

Photo: In the wake of the shootings over the weekend, Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly today directed that police resources be added to suppress further violence, including the assignment of additional uniformed officers to public housing developments citywide, deployment of Skywatch towers and TerraHawk vehicles to the vicinity of the shootings (TerraHawks are mobile versions of the Skywatch camera-equipped observation towers), and the deployment of plainclothes officers assigned to borough and precinct-based anti-crime units during the shooting-prone hours experienced recently. In addition, Warrants Division personnel will focus on the nine commands that experienced multiple shootings this weekend in order to arrest individuals wanted on outstanding warrants. Investigators are also monitoring gang-affiliated street crews for any evidence of planned retaliation based on shootings over the weekend, in which 26 individuals were shot, seven fatally. Three of the victims who sustained non-fatal injuries were under the age of 16. Even after including the seven shooting deaths during the 72-hour period from Friday through Sunday, homicides are still down 24% year-to-date for a total of 127 through Sunday – or 40 fewer than the same period last year. Similarly, shooting incidents year-to-date are down 27% and the number of persons shot declined by 29% so far this year compared to the same period last year.