WORCESTER, Mass. - The Worcester Police Department's Summer Impact Program started up this week. 

The department says the program, which originally started in 2005 to curb shootings and summer violence, continues to be effective. 

The program has shifted more from making arrests to a community policing approach. 

Police spokesperson Lt. Sean Murtha says the goal is to improve relationships in the community between residents and police. 

Eighteen additional officers are added during peak hours of crime activity. 

“Last year, we saw a spike in violence during the summer. We had the officers to focus on that as well as the fireworks, and at the other end of the spectrum, quality of life issues,” Murtha said.. “We had a huge rise in fireworks-related complaints last year. We do attribute that to the pandemic, people being cooped up inside and bored. Fireworks complaints went through the roof and we’re hoping it doesn’t rise to that level this year. Obviously, we’re hoping to keep the violence down as well.”

Crime analysis found peak hours of activity were occurring between 6 p.m.and 2 a.m. Wednesday through Sunday. 

Additional officers are deployed during these hours.