MINNEAPOLIS — Federal and local officials are increasing efforts to combat gun violence in response to a recent spike in homicides in Minneapolis.

Federal and state prosecutors said Thursday that they are meeting weekly to look at gun cases and determine whether an offender should be prosecuted in state or federal court.

The goal is to get the most violent offenders off the streets by making sure they get the most prison time possible. For example, under one federal statute a repeat violent offender faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in prison.

Minneapolis has seen 29 homicides so far this year. That surpasses the total of 19 for all of 2009. Police Chief Tim Dolan says the city is not in a crisis, but these numbers are heading in the wrong direction.