-- A man was shot to death waiting for his food at a Jamaican restaurant in Dorchester last night. Police have not identified the 24 year-old victim, the eighth Boston homicide and the fourth in three nights. His death punctuates an spree of violence in Dorchester unprecedented in recent memory. [Boston Herald] -- The Dorchester killing prompted a swift reaction from Boston Police. A massive warrant sweep netted 67 alleged criminals, several firearms and a......

--A woman who was pregnant with twins was shot in the back last night in Mattapan. Police are saying the 22-year-old was shot through her apartment window. The woman is now in stable condition. The Herald adds that Police Commissioner Ed Davis went to the scene and that It was unclear last night whether the woman was targeted by someone she knew or whether she was a victim of a bizarre act of random violence.......

Bostonist presents a public service announcement … Mayor Tom Menino and Police Commissioner Ed Davis held a press conference today to let the city know that the party police would be out in force for Game 7 in the ALCS. Whether the Red Sox win or lose (and they're gonna win, right?), the BPD will be ready. But, if you didn't get a ticket and you're planning on swarming upon Fenway Park, The Boston Police......

This time, it's personal. Sean Linehan, the son of brand-new City Council member Bill Linehan, has told police he was the victim of random violence. He said that, after a late-night meal at Teriyaki House following his dad's victory party, he "accidentally walked into a brawl on the sidewalk." He was stabbed in the upper back, which "pierced his lung and broke a rib." And his father is starting his City Council term royally pissed......

--Commissioner Ed Davis isn't thrilled that the Guardian Angels want to come back to Boston. Guardian Angel leader Curtis Sliwa says that's Davis' problem, and the Angels are coming back to Boston anyway. The Guardian Angels have been here before, but they left in 1992. In fact, you might see the trademark red beret of the Angels starting tomorrow. (And let us know if you do.) --Since Chiara Levin died, it seems as if our......

The Chiara Levin case has unleashed an outcry against the gun violence. People are fed up. Reverend Bruce Wall says he will post signs around the city warning tourists that they are not safe in Boston if the mayor doesn't act now and declare a state of emergency. Maybe that will get the mayor to stop talking about after-hours house parties and start talking about gangs and guns. The Herald quotes what Wall plans to......

Finally, the city has some good news about crime. While a steady stream of shootings have taken place, statistics are out showing that nonfatal shootings are down by 33 percent compared to last year. The Globe lists many possible reasons for why shootings are down - more patrols, cold temperatures, gang truces, better moods. What's important is that the shootings are down, and we hope it stays that way. The Globe also had a nifty......

Maybe the blotter will shrink or become less frequent – Commissioner Ed Davis has announced an increase in homicide detectives and some promising steps toward reducing Boston's murder rate. Davis plans to increase the number of homicide detectives by 25 percent (there are only 22 now), to give detectives more time to investigate murders by taking them off other details, and to hire detectives of other races. More of the measures appear in the Globe.......

It would be nice if the blotter for the first day of 2007 focused on the typical New Year's Eve drunk and disorderlies. Unfortunately, six people were shot in four separate locations around 5 this morning in Dorchester. A 14-year-old died in the shootings. That makes yet another preteen who has been cut down in a matter of weeks. The Boston Police Department believes that two of the episodes unfolded at "private house parties"......