A walk with the deputies participating in Operation Guardian

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC) — A new program for Monroe County Sheriff’s Deputies to help fight Rochester’s surge in homicides is getting results, but the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO) says more needs to be done.

For over a month now the MCSO has been conducting their program "Operation Guardian". Deputies are making a point of being seen but also talking to people.

Since Operation Guardian went into effect on June 15, the sheriff’s office says it arrested 26 people for various crimes including murder, gun possession, and burglary while serving 52 warrants. More arrests will be announced this week.

The work of getting habitual offenders off the streets, and in custody continues. News10NBC met with two RPD Officers, and Sheriff’s Lieutenant John Watson at their post on Jefferson Avenue and Iceland Park.

"Just driving around making our presence known, and you know high visibility patrols where we can just show the community, we’re out here, and you know talk with people, and show that we’re willing to listen," Watson said.

Operation Guardian is about precision policing. Deputies are also conducting walking patrols and engaging neighborhood residents. Especially with young children.

"I want to be a police," said one child as Watson handed him a sticker of a Sheriff’s Badge. Alright, cool responded Watson. He went onto say, "People are very appreciative of us walking around, and showing we actually care about the community."

Both police and deputy say what’s important now is protecting and serving.

"Yeah, I think we’re making a big impact with the community, and hopefully violent crime continues to be on the downtick for the rest of the summer," Watson said.

Since Operation Guardian started last month 88 deputies already put in more than 900 man-hours helping to protect Rochester’s high crime neighborhoods. The program is expected to last through the end of summer.