LPD WebNews

In recent weeks, there have been increases in home burglaries and car breaks throughout the city. The department recognizes that this is a serious problem and a concern among residents. Therefore, the LPD recently implemented the ”Lock it or Lose it” campaign. Below are the index-sized cards that the LPD has produced to warn residents of the increases. These cards also serve to provide tips on how to secure your belongings in both your car and home. LPD contact information is also listed on the back of each card. In the coming weeks and months officers in each sector will be giving these cards out to residents.

 The department needs your help! We encourage all residents to contact the department if you see anything suspicious. Let’s work together to keep our neighborhoods safe!

Front of Car Break Lock it or Lose it Card (above)

Front of Home Burglary Lock it or Lose it Card (above) 

Contact Information (Backside of both cards)

Please be advised that due to the high temperatures, the City of Lowell has opened a cooling station at the Lowell Senior Center located at 276 Broadway Street. This Center will be open Wednesday and Thursday until 10:00pm.

The Annual Bicycle Safety Rodeo Will be held in the parking lot of the Target store located on Plain Street on Sunday, September 19^th from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The event is hosted by LPD, Lowell General Emergency Nurses Care Assoc., AAA of Merrimack Valley, TARGET, and the Greater Lowell Kiwanis Club.

Last year, the LPD gave away 15 donated bicycles and through a grant from the Executive Office and Public Safety and Security’s (EOPSS) Highway Safety Division, the LPD was also able to donate 95 bike helmets. The LPD was fortunate to receive 175 helmets through the EOPSS -Highway Safety Division this year. Several helmets will be given out at the event this year. Make sure you save the date!

Resurfacing and related work on a section of Route 38 (Rogers and Nesmith Streets) from the Lowell/Tewksbury Town Line to the Hunts Falls Bridge will begin tonight - Tuesday, August 24th.

The milling and paving work will be performed during the night – Sunday through Thursday – from 8PM to 5AM, while curb work will be done during the day. There will be three phases of the project and the project is estimated to be completed by the end of October. 

Lane closures will be used for traffic control and some traffic delays may occur during the work. No complete road closures will occur for this work. Please use caution while traveling on this section of Route 38 while the work is in progress.

On August 3rd, the LPD, along with residents, city leaders and representatives from a variety of organizations hosted three National Night Out sites around the city. The National Night Out events were held at the Chestnut Square Apartments, Father Maguire Park (Mammoth Road) and the Morey School (Pine Street).

Check out the photos here: National Night Out 2010

Thank you to the following sponsors:

The Caleb Foundation (CEO Debbie Nutter), Lowell Kiwanis, Target Staff Volunteers, PrideStar EMS, Lowell Memorial Auditorium, Tiran Development, Coca-Cola, Kevin Wilet, Fio’s Pizza, NMTW CU, Boston Medical Center Healthnet Plan, Pawtucketville Citizens Council, UMASS Lowell, St. Jeanne D’Arc Basketball League, Target, Lowell Police Patrolmen’s Union, Trinity EMS, Saints Memorial Hospital, TD Bank North, Lower Highlands Neighborhood Group, Lowell School Department, Lowell Alliance for Families and Children, Lowell Film Collaborative, The GRIP Project, YWCA of Lowell Green Teem and Chelmsford Telemedia.

LOWELL, MA (August 18, 2010) – In May, the Lowell Police Department was awarded $15,000 in federal grant funding as part of the 2010 Underage Alcohol Enforcement Grant Program from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security (EOPSS). This program provides overtime funds for enforcement of underage alcohol laws through activities such as compliance checks, reverse stings, party patrols, surveillance patrols, and cops in shops. The EOPSS awarded 30 of these grants totaling over $225,000.

Throughout August and September the LPD will be conducting multiple compliance checks and Cops in Shops Operations. “With these funds we are able to enhance our underage alcohol enforcement activities in Lowell,” said Captain Randall Humphrey. “Any loss on our roadways is one too many and this program will help to reduce the instances of impaired driving by our community’s underage population.” 

Research reveals that, according to the National Highway Safety Transportation Association (NHTSA), in 2008, nationwide, 31% of 15-20 year-olds who were killed in crashes had a blood alcohol content of .01 or higher.  Drivers are also less likely to use restraints when they have been drinking. In 2008, 63 percent of the young drivers of passenger vehicles involved in fatal crashes who had been drinking were unrestrained. Of the young drivers who had been drinking and were killed in crashes, 73% were unrestrained.

For more information on impaired driving go to www.mass.gov/highwaysafety.

Below is a letter sent to The Lowell Sun from Superintendent Lavallee regarding an article (“Citation revenue doubles in three years”) published in the August 1, 2010 edition of the paper.

Dear Editor: After reading the article entitled “Citation revenue doubles in three years” in the August 1, 2010 edition of The Sun, one might assume that the foremost purpose of the Lowell Police Department’s traffic enforcement initiative is revenue enhancement. Nothing could be further from the truth.

The piece correctly pointed out that traffic enforcement became a higher priority on the heels of several high-profile driver fatalities in the city of Lowell. According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, traffic death statistics are astonishing. It is reported that during any three-day period of any year, between 300 and 400 people will die in traffic crashes somewhere in the United States. Every three days, more than 19,000 people are injured in the nearly 16,000 reportable crashes. Some victims will be disabled for life, while others will suffer unimaginable pain. Traffic crashes are the major cause of death of persons between the ages of 3 and 34.

Lowell is no exception to these horrible statistics. In 2004 and 2005, 14 people died in traffic crashes in Lowell. Additionally, 3,793 and 3,871 crashes occurred, respectively. In 2006, the Lowell Police Department began to boost its traffic enforcement efforts. The results are positive. From 2006 to 2009, 11 people lost their lives in crashes, an average of less than three per year, or a 63% reduction. Since our enhanced traffic safety initiative has been underway, we have realized an 11% reduction in crashes. There have been 1,554 reportable crashes in the first six months of 2010, putting us on pace for 3,108 accidents, well below the average for the past four years.

Besides saving lives and preventing crashes, increased traffic enforcement prevents more serious crime. As a result of motor vehicle stops, since 2006:

 - 57 illegal firearms have been recovered

- 71 individuals have been arrested on felony firearms charges

- 1,173 outstanding arrest warrants have been cleared

- 523 individuals have been arrested for drug charges

In addition the Lowell Police Department works collaboratively with the Massachusetts State Police to conduct “sobriety checkpoints.” The collaboration has resulted in 224 drunken driving arrests since 2007.

Recently, the Lowell Police Department conducted a survey of the city’s residents. In 9 of the 11 neighborhoods, traffic issues received the highest rating as a perceived neighborhood problem. And citywide, 52.3% of the residents “strongly agree” that the Lowell Police Department enforces traffic laws well and 28.4% “somewhat agree” that we enforce traffic laws well.

The only strategy that has been consistently proven to reduce deaths, injuries, and property damage due to crashes is proactive, consistent enforcement of the traffic laws. Traffic enforcement is not an annoyance – it is a necessity and a life saving tool. The Lowell Police Department is committed to the belief that the public supports traffic enforcement that is fairly applied, consistent, data-driven, and not seen as a way to produce revenue.

Yours truly,

Kenneth Lavallee

Superintendent of Police

At approximately 9:05 this morning Lowell Police along with Lowell Fire and Trinity Ambulance responded to 36 Lyons St. in Lowell for a report of a young child burnt by hot water. Upon arrival emergency personnel discovered an eleven (11) month old male child in obvious distress and exhibiting visible injuries consistent with severe scalding. The child was immediately transported by ambulance to Cawley Stadium, a designated landing zone where he was transferred to a medical helicopter and flown to Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. The name of the young victim is being withheld at this time. Detectives from the Lowell Police Department’s Family Services Unit are investigating to determine the cause of this incident. Updates will follow as further information becomes available. Deputy Superintendent Arthur H. Ryan stated, “Injuries to children are especially troubling to emergency responders; this incident involved an injury to an infant. Detectives of the Lowell Police Department will determine what has happened and ensure that the appropriate steps are taken consistent with the results of their investigation. Most importantly we are hoping that the child recovers fully from what appear to be serious injuries.”

National Night Out will be held in Lowell tonight (Tuesday, August 3rd, 2010). Lowell will join thousands of other communities across the country for the 27th Annual “National Night Out Against Crime.” This event promotes safety, increases crime prevention awareness, strengthens neighborhood unity and improves community relations. The Lowell Police Department is partnering with the Caleb Foundation, The Lower Highlands Neighborhood Group and Pawtucketville Citizens Council to host three events in Lowell on National Night Out.

A safety and crime prevention event along with a neighborhood cookout is planned at Chestnut Square Apartments, 77 Chestnut Street from 5pm to 8pm.

At the Morey School on Pine St. a safety/crime prevention event is planned from 6pm-8pm. It will be followed by an outdoor screening of the movie “ET” at 8pm.

A safety/crime prevention event and neighborhood social is being held at Father Maguire Ballpark on Mammoth Road from 6pm to 8pm.

All sites will have visits from Lowell Police Department, Lowell Fire Department, Middlesex County Sheriff’s Department, PrideStar and Trinity EMS as well as a K-9 demonstration. Information tables will be hosted by local agencies. Children’s activities will be provided by Lowell Parks Department. If you have questions or would like more information on the event, please contact Sharon Callery at Lowell Police Community Services, (978) 937-3210.