Can Gov. Patrick really reduce violence in Boston?

Gov. Deval Patrick is on the verge of announcing a raft of initiatives to help Boston combat a surge in violent crime, including an immediate infusion of new cops and cash to pay for programs targeting at-risk youths, sources said.

The package of initiatives, ironed out as the body count has escalated in recent days, could be announced as soon as today. Patrick met with Mayor Thomas M. Menino to discuss the crisis Tuesday and promised state help is on the way...

Two sources briefed on aspects of the plan said that Patrick proposes to use $2 million of the state’s budget to bolster anti-crime programs in Boston - including some cash to add rank-and-file cops to the BPD’s dwindling ranks. Some of that money is from the $11 million Shannon grant Patrick cut from his initial budget.

UPDATE: More from the Globe.

SECOND UPDATE: From the Globe, Herald and Mass. GOP News.

THIRD UPDATE: More from the Herald and Globe.