Lawrence Reinstates 5 Police Officers Amid Increased Violence

After a weekend filled with violence, Lawrence Mayor William Lantigua is reinstating five of the 40 police officers laid off in the last two years.

City Councilor Marc Laplante thinks it's a step forward, but he hopes to see numbers closer to the force Police Chief John Romero had built before the layoffs two years ago.

"What we need to do is get those numbers back so Romero can continue to do the work he was so successful in two years ago," Laplante said.

"What we're trying to do is get enough police grants right now to get between 12 and 19 new police officers by the end of this year."

To combat nightclub-related violence, the Lawrence police force will be using motorcycle units, bicycle and foot patrols and a mobile command center.

This past weekend, Lawrence needed reinforcements from Methuen and State Police when a crowd of 800 flooded five downtown blocks. Several people were injured.