NEW YORK - The NYPD is starting its annual "Summer All Out" program a little early this year.

The anti-crime initiative is starting now, instead of in June, and will end after Labor Day.

The department says 287 officers who usually work desk jobs have been moved to the streets in precincts with high levels of crime.

Police officials say the program has proven very successful in the past.

"Last summer, all our commands experienced 11 fewer shootings compared to the same period in 2017. That's a reduction of 16 percent. They also posted 8 fewer murders for the same period compared to 2017. That's a 36 percent reduction. These reductions are more than just statistics. They are lives saved," said NYPD Chief of Department Terence Monahan.

Summer All Out will place some officers in the transit system this year for the first time ever.

Police who have not been on patrol for a while are getting two days of refresher training.