2010 looking like a violent year in Worcester

2010 looking like a violent year in Worcester: "This year is on track to match or surpass 2004 and 2005 as one of the most violent years in the city’s history.

With 15 shootings from Jan. 1 to June 14 already this year, the city is seeing a disturbing spate of violence that comes close to 2004, when in the same time frame there were 18 shootings.

Noticing an increase in shootings early this spring, the Police Department rolled out an additional patrol unit — much like the Summer Impact or Fall Impact Programs of the past.

“We’re on that trend (reaching 2004 shooting numbers) and that is why we activated the additional patrol program,” police spokesman Sgt. Kerry F. Hazelhurst said. “We know what works and we are trying to get a jump on it. We’re pretty confident we’re going to put a lid on this. Right now we have an uptick and we are getting close to the 2004 numbers.”

Police will begin the Summer Impact Program starting June 30. The program was a line item in the department’s budget for the upcoming fiscal year.

From Jan. 1 to June 14 last year, there were two shootings, one fatal. Of the 15 shootings this year, three were fatal.

The crime statistics released by the department show the alarming trend that guns are again becoming the weapon of choice. For a few years, gun violence decreased and knife attacks increased drastically."