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Lawrence groups working to reduce crime after broad daylight shooting

LAWRENCE, Mass. — Police in Lawrence say an arrest is expected anytime now in the daytime shooting caught on cell phone video.

According to police, a traffic incident started the fight on Lawrence Street. Police say the two men knew each other and wrestled around, until one of them pulled out a gun and shot the other in the leg.

A man who witnessed the shooting, and asked not to be named, says the crime is out of control.

"These guns are crazy. I get five kids home and these guys need to be put away. Guy just shot them in broad daylight. There are kids everywhere," he said.

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The issue of crime has been a longtime concern. Lawrence Community Watch is a local non-profit which uses a community development approach as a way to reduce crime.

"One of the fundamental things we do is get people to know each other and connect with each other," said Executive Director Jessica Andors.

Andors says in one neighborhood, residents have agreed to turn on their porch lights every night at the same time, and crim has dropped.

Next month, they'll start a program to understand where crime is still hight.

"Our residents are going to go door knocking with police in some of our developments and neighborhoods to identify the hot spots," said Andors.