PPD increasing patrols on the streets

Three shootings in less than four days in Pensacola has the police department and Mayor Ashton Hayward taking action.

"Soon you will see every sworn Pensacola Police Officer in uniform and in our neighborhoods. We'll do anything we can to stop this behavior," said Pensacola Police Chief Chip Simmons.

Chief Simmons said the plan will take every officer on administrative, training or other duty and put them on the streets.

He said they’ll be spread throughout the city, yet the focus will be put on specific troubled areas.

"We'll do anything we can to get as many officers on our streets to send the message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated. If you're doing wrong there will be a police officer nearby ready to take action," Simmons said.

The action stems from multiple shootings located around East Strong Street.

Tuesday around 8 p.m., authorities saif a red or maroon colored car pulled up to two teenagers near Desoto Street and 6th avenue and fired at them, hitting one of them in the thigh.

Later that night, Tyrone Vanderhall, the unharmed teenager’s grandfather, was in his home on East Strong street when it was shot multiple times.

Vanderhall's home was then targeted again around midnight on Wednesday.

He said he hopes the police can put an end to the violence.

"We're up all night, we can't sleep. We have to be on a constant watch all the time. That's no way to live," said Vanderhall.

Adrian Henderson lives near East Strong street. He said he also supports the plan.

"Right now, I support it until things calm down because kids can get shot. There are elders around here and people could keep getting hurt," Henderson said.

Chief Simmons said the new action won't come with more cost to taxpayers because the current plan doesn’t call for more overtime for officers.

"We intend to protect and to serve. If this means temporarily changing how we conduct business, that's what we'll do. Even though no one has been seriously hurt, it's only a matter of time if we allow this to continue," said Simmons.

Officials say the plan is temporary but they intend to keep it going as long as they can to reduce crime.

If you have any information on the shootings, call the Pensacola Police Department at (850) 435-1900.