BUFFALO, N.Y. — A small battalion of police officers headed out into the neighborhood around Genesee and Ferry streets Wednesday as the Buffalo Police Department and mayor announced a pilot program of sorts called the Neighborhood Engagement Team, or NET.

The officers will employ community policing methods, which can mean anything from cookouts or special events like kickball tournaments to just simply walking the beat.

Police Commissioner Byron Lockwood said the department wants to change the narrative, build relationships between neighbors and officers, and show people that police are here to serve communities.

"I think it's important for us to go in there and to show them that we're just not always there to make arrests. We're there to help any way we can, also to help provide safety for the neighborhood," Lockwood said.

This unit will operate for 100 days, and if all goes well, Lockwood says the department will continue and build upon the initiatives.