What the hell is going on with Manchester?

[zanne]

I've lived here for 53 years, in the same neighborhood. It's always been a little rowdy, but I kind of like that. But Friday morning at 3:00am I'm awakened from a deep sleep by gunshots going off across the street from my house! I live on the west side which is, for some reason, exploding lately. Way too much gunfire for this part of town. Does anybody know what the hell is going on lately?

[bee]

1. I grew up in Nashua...

& when I was a teen (15 or so years ago) we used to go to Manchester to hang out on Elm St. We went in droves. Even then, as a small (in stature) girl, I never felt the least bit uncomfortable. I live in Portsmouth now and dont get to Manch too often, but Ill tell you that the last time I was there, about a year ago (downtown late at night) I was scared as hell. I have friends that live in Manchester, who for years have been talking about the escalating gang violence there. The same late-night shooting that you describe. Is it gangs? I dont know - but I do know that the feel of the city has definitely changed. And its not just Manchester. Even in our neck of the woods.. last summer we had a drive-by shooting. In Dover. Dover! And Portsmouth isnt as 'safe' feeling as it was when I moved here 10 years ago either. And dont even get me started about Hampton Beach. We have gangs of children... literally 12 year olds... with knives. My husband and I were followed/harassed for 'looking' at a group of them. For whatever reason... it seems that violence has definitely found NH. Its gotten very scary. Very quickly.