A new six-member foot patrol is cleaning up downtown Hempstead.

The patrol, announced last Thursday by Mayor Wayne Hall, targets quality of life crimes such as littering, drug use and dealing, loitering and panhandling. In only a week since its inception, the patrol has made more than a dozen arrests and issued dozens of tickets.

Storeowners in the downtown area are praising the patrol, saying it prevents customers from being scared away and makes it safer for businesses. The mayor is hoping the patrol will help attract new companies to the community.