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More Officers Patrol Northeast Denver Neighborhoods After Deadly Violence

DENVER (CBS4)- Extra Denver Police officers are patrolling neighborhoods in northeast Denver as deadly gang violence increases.

There have been two deadly shootings since Saturday. One person was killed and another injured on Tuesday night after a so-called peace rally.

"We can't tolerate this kind of activity, we can't," said one resident.

Police said the shootings were unrelated but all connected to gang activity.

shooting investigation
A Shooting in northeast Denver on April 29 (credit: CBS)

"For the most part we believe it's a few gang groups who are retaliating, you shoot me, I shoot you," said Denver Police Chief Robert White.

White is confident that some arrests will be made soon. He believes the spike in gang violence can be traced back to November 2014 when three people were shot in a clash between rival gangs at a rap concert.

In recent years the neighborhoods have become more diverse.

Chris Lee recently moved to northeast Denver in January from Cheyenne, Wyo.

"It seems really clean here. Everybody takes care of their lawns and stuff and then you start hearing more stuff about the shootings," said Lee.

Lee said because of the recent shootings, he and his family are leaving.

"You don't want to raise kids around violence like this," said Lee.

White said there have been 12 gang-related shootings in the area since January. Denver Police have added community outreach programs and additional officers to combat the problem.

White said the gangs prey on fear and residents need to come forward with any information they may have about the shootings or any suspicious activity.

Longtime resident Troy Norwood said enough is enough, "Knock it off you guys. You all is making us look bad. Give us a break. Give me some breakage. This is my block, I want to keep it beautiful."

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