KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- According to police, August is typically the most violent month in Kansas City.

Police said because of the heat, people are outside and they are irritable.

That's why officers said they decided to do a violent-crime sweep to prevent future violence and keep residents safe. Clad in body armor and sporting weapons, the police officers looked like soldiers heading into war. The tactical officers were preparing to do battle against violent criminals on the Kansas City streets.

Cramped in the back of a van, the tactical team headed to the 5600 block of St. John Avenue on Wednesday to make a bust at an apartment building. The doors flew open and the officers ran out of the van. The police forced their way into the apartment and apprehended several people.

"We've identified a lot of residences in Kansas City that are problem residences that there is continuous gunfire, drive-by shootings, homicide locations, gang activity and drug activity," said Sgt. Eric Greenwell from the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.

Near 31st Street and Spruce Avenue, a joint operation targeted two houses and a car repair shop. During the raids, officers led a woman and children out of a house. The officers said they were innocent victims in a necessary raid.

Police said the raids netted: -73 arrests -$47,000 in recovered cash -Cocaine, marijuana, meth, heroin and PCP were recovered -18 guns recovered

Officer said they plan on wrapping up the violent-crime sweep on Friday by going back to the same neighborhoods to try to find new leads in several unsolved cases.