The NYPD says it is doubling the size of its anti-gang unit to crack down on violence and crime in the city. The new initiative has been dubbed Operation Crew Cut. Specially trained officers will be surfing social media websites in an effort to curb gang violence in certain parts of the city. The officers will look for members of local gangs who brag about their criminal exploits on Facebook and other sites. NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly says East New York and Brownsville will be major targets in curbing violence.

Kelly says different divisions will be involved in the expansion, including youth officers from the Juvenile Justice Division. The youth officers will headquarter their investigations on Facebook and Twitter. They will also keep a log of slang terms to help better recognize threats between gang members. The gang unit will go from 150 officers to 300 officers, Kelly says.