More Seattle police in U-District following recent gun violence

Police will increase their presence in Seattle's University District through emphasis patrols, in response to last Sunday’s shooting, and other recent incidents of gun violence.

The Seattle Police Department says the increase in officers around the U-District is to "address gun violence and ensure the safety of the University District community."

Emphasis patrols are assigned when there’s a spike in crime in a neighborhood. It’s happening as students return to campus for the start of the school year.

Don Blakeney is executive director of U District Partnership, a nonprofit serving neighborhood businesses.

RELATED: Fight leads to shooting outside U District bar

“There’s a sense of excitement for the campus being back open and people being back for the fall,” Blakeney said. “But you know, these safety issues are serious, and we have to take them seriously.”

Blakeney says his organization is meeting with businesses to gather feedback and to develop long-term strategies to improve safety in the neighborhood.

“We’re hoping to better understand what they’re seeing from their perspective as business owners and then we want to see what we can do to help,” he said.

One possibility would be to expand the safety ambassador program that was created last year, Blakeney said.

UW officials are urging students to use the safety escort services and other resources available to them.

Meanwhile, the Seattle Police Department continues to investigate Sunday’s shooting that started after two men got into a fight outside a bar on University Way. One man pulled out a gun and fired shots before fleeing the scene. Four students were injured.

SPD notes four significant violent crimes that have occurred in the U-District over the past 28 days, all involving firearms.