COVINGTON, Tenn. — The Covington Police Department announced it created a Gang and Violence Unit.
Officials said the move comes after the department received 50 shots fired calls since the beginning of the year.
“Fortunately we have had no one injured by these shots fired calls over the past several months. That is good news, but we are going to do everything we possibly can to make certain this type of behavior is stopped before someone is hurt,” said Covington Police Chief Buddy Lewis. “Covington will not become like some areas of Memphis.”
According to the department, since the formation of the unit on April 22, 98 arrests have been made, and 134 traffic citations issued.
Also, only two shots fired calls have been received.
One was unfounded, and the other was factual with no reported injuries.
The turnaround, the department said, is all because the officers are making sacrifices for our community.
“We have changed the hours of some of our officers and we are working during the peak times of the most criminal activity,” Chief Lewis explained. “This puts more officers on the street during these crucial times.”
For more information on the Covington Police and the new unit click here.