YOUNGSTOWN — The city police department is creating a neighborhood response unit to target and reduce violent crimes.

Police Chief Carl Davis said the unit will largely focus on neighborhoods on the city’s South Side, where much of the violent crime occurs.

Five patrolmen will be led by Capt. Kevin Mercer on the unit that starts Monday.

The neighborhood response unit’s “main objective is preventing and disrupting dangerous street-level activities,” Davis said.

It’s the latest change to the police department in an effort to reduce crime in the city.

Davis announced Tuesday the creation of Operation Steel Penguins that brings together local, state and federal agencies to target criminal activity, especially gun offenses, in the city.

For more, read Saturday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com