As Newark teeters on the brink of reaching the highest murder toll in 11 years, the city?s mayor is hoping an infusion of new police officers will curb recent violence.

Three murders over the weekend brought the city?s homicide total to 99 for the year. City leaders believe a solution to the violence is coming as more police officers hit the streets with new strategies. Thirty-four new recruits have begun to train and are the first recruits to start training on Mayor Cory Booker?s watch. They will be joining more than 1,000 officers already on the force. The new recruits will be on the force in six months.

Though the murder toll is high, Booker is quick to point out the murder rate has slowed down in recent months. The city?s police director adds that most of the city?s murders are not random.

Related Information: Newark hits grim milestone with recent homicides