The RNC has established a new Weapons and Drug Enforcement Unit to tackle a rise in gun and drug crimes on the Northeast Avalon.

The unit comes following what the Department of Justice calls a successful pilot project and will be led by a dedicated team of officers focused on “curbing violence before it occurs.”

There have been a number of weapons seizures in the capital city area in recent weeks.

RNC Deputy Chief Stephanie Legace says the unit was formed based on statistical information and calls for service. She says the unit, formed earlier this year, has already resulted in arrests and seizures.

She says in the last nine weeks there have been more than 20 arrests and the seizure of multiple firearms and what she calls “a significant amount of drugs.” Based on those results, they decided to dedicate resources to continue with the unit on a more permanent basis.