Violent homicide rate spike prompts more Houston police OT

The Houston Police Department is spending $2 million in overtime to field more officers to patrol hot crime spots across the city.

That’s after the city saw a 15 percent increase in violent homicides so far this year after a 25 percent increase in 2015.

Mayor Sylvester Turner told the Houston Chronicle that he and acting police Chief Martha Montalvo mobilized more police resources, including community agencies, and assigned more officers to street patrols.

Senior police officials are performing weekly reviews to check if a focus on gang and narcotics activity and domestic violence is reducing the number of shootings and other major crimes.

Turner also authorized the extra $2 million for police overtime, an additional cadet class, and moving 175 desk officers to the streets.