Yakima Police Kick-Off Effort to Fight Violent Crime

A major effort to fight violent crime in Yakima kicked off on Friday. A news release from the Yakima Police Department says officers are joining forces with a dozen local state, and federal law enforcement agencies for what’s being called Operation Invictus. Authorities say they'll combine resources, knowledge and expertise to create a focused force that will find and arrest those wanted for violent crime in Central Washington this summer. The news release says "The goal of Operation Invictus, which is an element of Project Safe Neighborhoods and the Violent Crime Reduction Initiative, is simple – make communities safer."

Yakima Police Chief Matt Murray says immigration enforcement is not an element of the operation. He says they're targeting all criminals regardless of their residency status.