Jan 9, 2007 8:44 pm US/Eastern
Menino Delivers State-Of-The-City In Dorchester
BOSTON (CBS4) ―
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Boston Mayor Tom Menino calls the state of the city "inclusive, unlimited and strong."
CBS
Boston Mayor Tom Menino delivered his state-of-the-city Tuesday night at the Strand Theatre in Dorchester. During his speech, Menino said he will travel to Washington to talk with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi about his work with Mayors Against Illegal Guns -- a project he and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg started last year.
Menino said the country has to do more to crack down on gun trafficking and gun-related crime. Just last year, Boston police apprehended more than 1,800 guns -- twice as many as last year.
In an effort to give Boston Police Commissioner Ed Davis as much help as possible, Menino said he will add an additional 190 police officers this fiscal year. He also said command staff would begin spending more hours in the districts to help open lines of communication between residents and officers.
"Our strategy is to increase law enforcement's visibility where crime is on the rise, reassuring residents that we are here to help, and reminding offenders that we are watching them. At the same time, we are emphasizing prevention and adding resources to the programs that help young people steer clear of gangs and drugs," Mayor Menino said.
Menino also pledged to save the Strand Theater. He said $4 million has already been reserved in this year's budget for the Dorchester theater and in 2008, $2 million will be requested. Work on the theater will begin next week and is expected to be finished in the fall.
Menino also said he's looking forward to working with Gov. Deval Patrick to relieve pressure on property taxes and will be assembling "the best minds in Massachusetts to develop a 10-year strategic plan" to eliminate racial and ethnic gaps, especially in academic achievement.
Mayor Menino also spoke about the future plans in other neighborhoods. "We are strengthening civic spaces in all of Boston's neighborhoods. In Mattapan, we will break ground on a new public library. In West Roxbury, we are building a new playground at Hynes Field. And at our public high schools, we're in the midst of a multi-year commitment to upgrade our athletic fields. Citywide, we are improving the places that put the life in city life."
The mayor praised Boston's economy, saying new jobs are being created and the "hotels and offices are full." Menino calls the state of the city "inclusive, unlimited and strong."
(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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