San Bernardino police working to fight rising gun violence

SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. (KABC) -- A rise in gun violence in San Bernardino has frustrated local residents and prompted police to put more officers on overtime on the streets.

During one span of violence, there were seven homicides in just nine days, most of them considered gang-related.

The San Bernardino Police Department says all officers are being called in to work an extra day every week on overtime. Lt. Rich Lawhead said that means there are now twice as many cops out on the street.

"We've shifted our undercover units into uniform and out on the street," Lawhead said. "We've shifted our detective unit. They are going to work uniform out on the street, so you're going to see a visual presence."

Police have also started using drones instead of helicopters in some situations, which they consider more effective in certain circumstances and certainly less expensive.

San Bernardino residents say things seem worse now than they have in the recent past.

"I don't know what's happened to San Bernardino," said resident Gloria Davis. "It wasn't this bad. It's picking up, picking up. Stop the violence."