How long before someone gets shot?

Gun shots were fired in Leominster's South End again Thursday, marking the third attempted shooting in the last 24 days. Six shots were fired in the shootout between two gunmen, no one was injured.

Apparently, someone told the mayor that there would be reporters on the scene...he finally spoke out against the escalating violence. But instead of pledging to end it, he pointed the finger at the landlords:

Mazzarella plans to meet with the management company to figure out what can be done to curb the crime, he said.

"They have 215 units, they have a responsibility to make sure their tenants are safe," he said. "It's not fair to the people. A lot of young kids are living down there, a lot of single moms. It's only a handful of people there causing the problems."

The company is probably making enough money off of the tenants' rent to be able to afford to beef up their security, Mazzarella said.

"These people," he added, referring to the shooting, "C'mon, you're talking broad daylight. Anybody could have been around."

After three shootings, the mayor's first thought is that an extra mall rent-a-cop or two are going to make a difference? The last shooting occurred when a maintenance man tried to foil a break-in (also in "broad daylight."). Does he really think that a guy with a flashlight, a badge, and a walkie-talkie is going to keep this from happening?

Well, someone must have talked some sense into the former police officer, because this morning's news included word that the city will be providing a police detail at "the complex for most of the time between Friday afternoon and Monday morning."

No word on if the shooters will be free to resume their target practice ofter Monday.

Tags: Massachusetts Leominster crime