Harrisburg, Pa. - State police will help patrol the streets of Harrisburg in the wake of recent violence, Gov. Ed Rendell announced Thursday night.

"We have the available manpower to come in and be of great assistance," Rendell said.

The Governor spoke to abc27 News exclusively after delivering his message to a crowded room of concerned residents and local leaders at a community meeting in Harrisburg.

After learning of Harrisburg's recent string of shootings, the Governor told State Police Commissioner Col. Frank E. Pawlowski to come up with a plan for making the agency's resources available to the city.

"We're going to do anything that Harrisburg needs; from forensic experts to undercover officers, use of a helicopter. Most importantly of all there are going to be troopers, Pennsylvania state troopers, in marked state police cars helping Harrisburg police patrol the streets," Rendell said.

With seven shootings in the past ten days, city police are working overtime. They've been able to make several arrests. The state police patrols should allow them to concentrate on making more.

"You know, the Harrisburg Police are working 12 hour shifts right now and they can do that for awhile but it'll take a toll," Rendell said. "So we're not only going to supplement them, but add a significant level of police presence to the streets of Harrisburg."

A state police spokesperson says no formal agreement is in place yet, so it's not yet known how many troopers will be committed or how long they'll stay.

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