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.