Chicago police to begin foot patrols

The head of the Chicago Police Department says officers are making foot patrols a priority.

Chicago Police Superintendent Garry McCarthy said Monday that officers are targeting criminal activity in 20 areas of the city with the most violent crime. McCarthy said the department is calling the effort “Operation Impact.” Teams on the patrols will be made up of recruits, veteran police officers and area supervisors.

Police say the targets areas represents 3 percent of the city’s landmass but have 20 percent of the city’s violence.

McCarthy made the announcement at a news conference. He also said that so far this year the department has seized more than 1,550 illegal firearms from Chicago streets.