Today, the City of Long Beach announced actions it is taking through the Long Beach Public Safety Continuum to respond to a recent surge in crime, including planning an event to spread awareness in the region of the city most impacted by crime.

According to the release, crime has increased 5.3 percent over the last few months, compared to the five-year average through May 31, 2015. This comes after Long beach achieved a its lowest number of reported violent crimes in 42 years.

“Every department in the city is working to address this summer spike in violence and to keep every community safe,” said Mayor Robert Garcia in a statement.

“We are very concerned about a recent spike in violent assaults,” said Long Beach Police Chief Robert Luna in a statement. “We are working closely with City Departments on a public safety initiative, and increasing our efforts to enhance partnerships within the community. Keeping our city safe is everyone’s responsibility, and I look forward to working together to make an impact on crime.”

The Public Safety Continuum strengthens ties between Long Beach Police and Fire and other city departments to comprehensively improve Long Beach. Departments involved in the continuum include: library services, parks, recreation and marine, workforce development, the city prosecutor’s office, code enforcement, homeless and other health services, graffiti removal and affordable housing.

An event is being planned in an area within the region most affected by crime, according to officials. The event will spread awareness about the Public Safety Continuum and Safe Long Beach, which is a plan to draw upon existing city assets to provide victims protection and services to pursue healthy lives, offering an alternative to a life of crime. The Plan pushes to develop economic development opportunities, cultivate award-winning schools and provide stable leadership.

The release notes that the Long Beach Police Department (LBPD) is responding to calls citywide in under five minutes, and encourages Long Beach residents to actively combat crime through coming forward with information that could be of use to police.

“If you see something, say something,” the release states.

“Our police need our support so if you see a crime being committed, it needs to be reported so we can hold those who commit violent crimes accountable,” said Mayor Garcia.

According to the release, $35,000 in non-recurring funding has been allocated to target residential property crime, which allows the LBPD to increase efforts focused at preventing burglaries. As of May, a total of 212 fewer residential burglaries have occurred in 2015 compared to 2014—a 21 percent decrease.

For the same time period, murder has decreased 27 percent, aggravated assault has decreased 33 percent, Grand Theft Auto has increased six percent, and Auto burglary has increased five percent.

Meanwhile, Gang Court Order arrests have decreased this year to 99 arrests made so far in 2015, compared to 167 Gang Court Order arrests made for all of 2014, the release stated.

So far in July, the city has had two fatal stabbing incidents, including a woman stabbed on Tuesday, July 7, and a homeless man stabbed on the Fourth of July.