PHOENIX -- A new police unit is about to hit Phoenix streets with the goal of changing the city's reputation as the kidnapping capital of the world.

Lt. Laurie Burgett will head a squad of 10 detectives, whose sole objective is to stop kidnappers, typically associated with human smuggling, gangs or drugs.

"Last year, we had over 359 kidnappings that we investigated," Burgett said. "This year, we have about 222 to date."

Burgett said kidnappers are turning quite savage.

"We've had teenagers who were sexually abused," Burgett said. "We've had toes broken with bricks, so they're smashing their toes ... Murders, sexual abuse. We have had some of the males, actually adults, being sodomized. Torture -- they're electrocuting them; they're hanging them on the walls; they're not feeding them."

Burgett said detectives in the robbery unit usually investigate kidnappings, but the growth of the problem has caused the department to form a special team.

The team's only objective will be to stop kidnappings.