After a deadly 36 hours in Newark, city officials are putting more police on the streets.

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka on Thursday announced that officers are being moved from their desks to patrols in hopes of stemming the violence. Five people were killed in the city in a two-day span.

In addition to the extra police protection, Mayor Baraka and other officials are holding a series of community events in the hopes of promoting peace, and they are hoping some of America's most well-known citizens will help.

Oscar-winner and musician Common spoke at a rally last weekend, and on Saturday Newark native Shaquille O'Neill will hold a basketball tournament for the community outside city hall.

Next weekend, rapper Rakim will come to Newarks South Ward as part of a "24-Hours for Peace" event.

Police are also using mobile technology to fight crime through the "My Newark" app, through which crimes can be reported anonymously.

The Essex County Prosecutor's Office says this week's violence began when 32-year-old Andre Singh and another man were shot on Sanford Avenue. Singh died at a hospital on Wednesday.

Dashir Donaldson was gunned down on Ridgewood Avenue early Wednesday.

George Cuevas was stabbed after 3 p.m. and Michael Dantzler was shot and killed in his home just before 8 p.m. Wednesday.

A young male was found shot to death early Thursday.

There have been 58 homicides in Newark this year, compared to 55 during the same period in 2014.

The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.