St. Louis police announce plan to deter homicides

ST. LOUIS (AP) -- Citing a "deeply concerning increase in homicides," the St. Louis police department is announcing a new strategy to reduce the number slayings.

The police department says that while overall crime in the city is down 14 percent compared with last year, homicides are up.

To stem the violence, police Chief Joe Mokwa assembled the Homicide Deterrence Initiative.

Police will discuss the initiative at a news conference Tuesday in north St. Louis, where much of the violence occurs.

The initiative combines the efforts of the police department's crime suppression unit, gang squad, juvenile department and mobile reserve.