HARTFORD, Conn. -- The Hartford Police Department said July is its busiest month, and with a spike in crime in the city, it has asked for help.

Overall, crime is down 10 percent, they said, but the number of shootings has gone up.

To combat the increase, Hartford police have asked Connecticut State Police for help.

The heads of the two departments are covering the streets each night with their officers.

It has helped keep a lot of youths off the street, said an Albany Avenue store owner.

The increase in patrol officers in June meant another dozen troopers and two supervisors took to the streets, police said.

Officers said they’re doing whatever it takes to keep people safe.

The main purpose of the mission is to get guns off the street, police said.

“My goal is to get to the department to 600,” said Hartford police Chief Daryl Roberts. “As you know, right now, we're at 413, just hired 80, and we're going to hire 30 next year."

But because officers retire every month, the total doesn’t hold steady, he said, which makes the coordinated effort that much more important.