Police Commissioner Ed Davis and Mayor Tom Menino vowed today to crack down on a spate of violence in certain Dorchester, Mattapan and Roxbury neighborhoods, following last night's shooting of a three-year-old on Bowdoin Street.

At a press conference on Bowdoin Street today, Davis said his department was immediately stepping up uniformed patrols in the following areas: Bowdoin Street, Dudley Street, Franklin Field, Jackson Square and Norfolk Street.

Davis said Boston Police will work with Massachusetts State Police, U.S. Marshals and probation and parole officers to sweep the areas for people with outstanding drug- and gang-related warrants.

"We will not allow these cowards to derail our mission to reduce violence in the city of Boston," he said in a statement. "We are calling on everyone in the community to play a role in reducing violence. Recently we have been encouraged by the brave community members taking a stand against these perpetrators. We must as a community heighten our resolve and continue that trend."

Davis's statement.