Yeah, But THIS Time He Means It!

February 2004:

"We're frustrated. We're angry," affirmed Mayor Menino. "We're not going to allow anybody to take over our streets."

August 2004:

"We're not going to let any hoodlums take over our city," Menino told reporters after the meeting.

May 2005:

Menino asked for the public's help in capturing the suspects who murdered Beresford, saying, "Those hoodlums are not going to take over our streets."

July 2005:

No arrests have been made in that case, police said. Menino said the call boxes are part of his attempt to reclaim parks like Ronan.

"We're not going to let the hoodlums take over," he said.

December 2005:

"This is not cowboy city, we are not going to let this city be taken over," Menino said.

January 2006:

"I will not allow a handful of thugs to destroy families and lives," [Menino] said.

July 10, 2006:

"We've got to stay focused," [Menino] said. "We're not going to let the bad guys take over our streets."

Yesterday:

Anna Perry, 20, was gunned down on Albert Street Saturday night while lighting a candle in her brother Bobby’s memory at the exact spot he was killed four years earlier to the day.

[snip]

...Mayor Tom Menino admitted he did not have all the answers...

This week's nominee for "Understatement of the Decade" honors.

"You got to continue to be out there. We're not going to give up. We're not going to let the hoodlums take over our streets – We're gonna be there."

Nothing further, your honor. The prosecution rests.