New Minneapolis Police unit to focus on gangs

Minneapolis Police Chief Janeé Harteau on Wednesday announced that the department will form a new unit to address gangs as part of its summer crime fighting strategy.

Harteau told City Council members that five officers and a supervisor will seek information on gang activity that can be used to prevent violence.

"It will be focusing on our most violent offenders," Harteau said. "And when we have a shooting that occurs, their emphasis will be trying to prevent a retaliation shooting and paying attention to what's going on more in a timely fashion."

An FBI-led gang unit already works in Minneapolis and other parts of the Twin Cities metro area cities.

Harteau said her department's officers will start patrols with officers from other law enforcement agencies starting in June.