Raleigh Police Department to join U.S. Department of Justice crime reduction program [Video]

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The Raleigh Police Department is taking a new step to try and reduce crime.

The department is one of five departments in the U.S. this year selected to join a Department of Justice crime reduction program called the National Public Safety Partnership.

The Raleigh Police Department said it is excited to join the program to address violent crime, especially crime related to guns, drugs, and criminal gang violence.

The department will be sharing more information in a formal announcement Thursday. 

Ahead of that, CBS 17 wanted to know if other cities already in the program are seeing success.

The Richmond Police Department in Virginia is entering its third year in the program. Sybil El-Amin Jones is a deputy chief with the Richmond police, responsible for patrol operations. 

“Programs like this really do help you narrow the focus, no matter how good your department is,” Jones said.

She said through the partnership …