St. Louis, MO  (KTRS)  A new effort is underway to combat violent crime in the city of St. Louis.

Governor Eric Greitens was in north St. Louis on Monday afternoon,where he joined St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson, members of law enforcement and community and faith-based leaders, to announce a details of a Safety Plan.The plan consists of federal, state, and local resources aimed making the streets of St. Louis safer. One aspect of the program includes a Special Operations Unit of the Missouri State Highway Patrol, which began patrolling city interstates Sunday night.
“They will continue to assist local law enforcement to suppress violent crime on our highways.” Greitens said.
“I was riding with these men and women. Every one of them volunteered. And in their first night alone, they had dozens of felony arrests, drug stops, and took drunk drivers off the streets.” Greitens added.

The state of Missouri is also deploying a special team of police officers to combat drug trafficking. In addition, for the first time in the state’s history, the Missouri Department of Public Safety will assign resources to the FBI and the DEA in an effort to ensure effective investigations and apprehend the most violent offenders.
The Governor’s announcement wasn’t well received by all. A group of about 20 demonstrators protested over the reversal of the city’s minimum wage hike. The demonstrators at times made it difficult to hear Greitens speech with their heckling and chanting.

This year state lawmakers passed a measure prohibiting local minimum wages and nullifying any already in effect.