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Salt Lake Mayor Ralph Becker and interim Police Chief Mike Brown told residents of the homeless- and crime-plagued Rio Grande District that a month-long police surge is beginning to have an impact.

Meeting Friday with community leaders from the area, which encompasses both new, high-end housing and businesses along with longstanding shelter and clinic services to the homeless, Brown acknowledged that law enforcement in the district remained challenging.

"[But] our officers are taking ownership and responsibility for this area and the safety and security of all who work and live here," he said. "The issues we face are complex, but what is not complex is the expectation that everyone in this city deserves to feel safe."

Over the past month, officers assigned to the area have focused on drug dealing and related crimes. Patrols, including bicycle units, have been increased, with the result a 27 percent hike in arrests and jail bookings and a 55 percent rise in issuance of misdemeanor citations. Brown said his officers also had seized more than $83,000 in drugs from street dealers and customers.

Becker and Brown said overall crime in the district had dipped 20 percent over the past month.

Additionally, more than 160 shopping carts — valued at some $56,000 — have been returned to their owners, a campaign partnering with the city's new "A Place for Your Stuff" temporary storage facility. That program allows transients to securely store their belongings during the day, freeing them to seek services or employment.

City officials say 154 people have taken advantage of the storage incentive, and 11 of them have successfully secured employment or housing.

The city's month-long focus on the district also includes the hiring of eight social workers to help transients connect with local service providers.

Twitter: @remims