LOWELL — Superintendent Greg Hudon reports that the Lowell Police Department has made a total of 62 arrests and 11 summonses while conducting six sweeps for drugs and warrants in the city’s South Common since August, and that enforcement efforts around the South Common will remain ongoing.
Meanwhile, the department has made over 200 arrests while responding to over 600 incidents in the neighborhood around the South Common.
The department’s Special Investigations Section has made sweeps of the South Common on Aug. 21, Aug. 29, Sept. 3, Sept. 16, Sept. 24, and Oct. 16, also seizing drugs and drug paraphernalia in the process.
Lowell Police have partnered, at times, with the Massachusetts State Police, the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency while conducting sweeps.
Those efforts are in addition to high visibility patrols through the South Common that are being made by patrol units and the Neighborhood Response Unit, which responds to complaints from neighborhood residents.
In the JAM neighborhood around the South Common, including Appleton Street, South Street, Summer Street, Middlesex Street, Jackson Street, Canal Street, Pearl Street, Elliot Street and others, Lowell Police have made 214 arrests since June 5, while responding to 604 incidents.
Arrests have been made for simple and aggravated assault, narcotics offenses, trespassing, weapons violations, disorderly conduct, prostitution, theft and liquor violations. Warrant arrests accounted for 64 percent of the arrests.
“We’re aware of the issues in the South Common and we are employing an all-hands-on-deck approach to tackling them,” said Superintendent Hudon. “The City of Lowell has spent millions on improving the South Common, which is adjacent to a city school, and we will not tolerate open drug use or lawlessness in this public space.”
The enforcement sweeps are being conducted in addition to outreach efforts from the City’s CO-OP Team, which frequently visits the Common to connect individuals in need to substance use and housing services that are available in the city. The CO-OP Team provides education on treatment services, harm reduction, and other support services, while working to bridge gaps in services on a case by case basis.
The sweeps are not meant to harass or otherwise trouble the local homeless population, but those who congregate in the park must adhere to state laws and city ordinances so that the park can be safely enjoyed by all.
Residents who have concerns about things they see in the South Common or the surrounding neighborhood are asked to call Lowell Police at 978-937-3200.
“We want to hear from residents who have concerns,” said Superintendent Hudon. “Input from residents helps us to direct our patrols and enforcement efforts into areas where they are most needed.”
