Pubdate: Wed, 15 Mar 2006
Source: Union Leader (NH)
Copyright: 2006 The Union Leader Corp.
Contact:  http://www.theunionleader.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/761

CURBING CRIME: A PIVOTAL MOMENT FOR MANCHESTER

JUST THIS MONTH, Manchester has experienced a  kidnapping and 
attempted murder, a drive-by shooting,  and a gangland-style attack 
in the middle of the night.  And the month is only half over.

City police believe each of these crimes involved  people who knew 
each other. They have tried to reassure  residents that the shootings 
were not random acts of  violence. That's good to know, but it is 
hardly  reassuring. One does not have to be a drug dealer or  gang 
banger to get caught in the crossfire or have  one's neighborhood 
taken over by armed thugs.

Reacting speedily to these shocking events, Mayor Frank  Guinta 
called for adding six new police officers to the  city's force as 
soon as possible. (He also had called  for additional officers during 
last year's campaign, as  did then-Mayor Bob Baines.)

That was the right response. The city has too few  officers, and it 
needs new ones as quickly as possible.  There are neighborhoods where 
residents feel  intimidated by drug dealers and prostitutes. City 
leaders cannot allow that to continue.

Manchester is at a turning point. Either the city gets  serious about 
escalating the fight against crime right  now, or things are going to 
get worse fast.
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MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman