TORONTO, Ont. – Toronto Police Chief Bill Blair credits overtime hours put in by more than 300 police officers for a dramatic drop in crime in Toronto.

Following two public shootings at the Eaton Centre food court and at a community barbecue on Danzig Street, 329 full-time police officers put in mandatory overtime hours as part of the Summer Safety Initiative.

Between July 26 and Sept. 9, Blair said homicides in Toronto have gone down 62 per cent as a result of extra police officers patrolling city streets.

The initiative is expected to cost $2 million, but he said it is costlier to investigate crime.

“When they’re out there doing the job that they need to do but they’re doing it in a way which is respectful and supported by the communities we’re out there to serve and protect, together we make a significant difference,” he said.

According to police statistics, shooting homicides have dropped by nearly 69 per cent during the latter half of the summer.

There was an overall reduction in other crime, the chief said.

There was a 17 per cent reduction in robbery, and sexual assaults were down by almost 13 per cent. There were also 28 per cent fewer break-and-enter-related crimes.

Officers have since returned to their regular duties.

The chief’s results announcement came one day after a town hall on Danzig Street, where he faced tough questions from residents about neighbourhood safety.

Moving forward, police said they will seek ways to continue the progress as well as find ways to get more officers out of desk jobs and onto the streets.