Lowell police officers continue to step up enforcement of traffic violations including speeding and cell phone use. In most cases, people are driving off with a warning rather than a citation, but the department hopes the increased police presence on the road will make others think twice before flying down city streets.
In total, the Lowell Police Department filed 216 case reports in September 2023, including the following:
- 38 assists to other agencies
- 20 suspicious situations
- 20 general and motorist assists
- 19 pistol permits and sales
- 9 traffic accidents
- 7 non-aggravated assaults
- 5 ordinance violations
- 5 family issues
- 4 stalking/harassment
- 4 fraud
- 2 disorderly conduct
Lowell officers also made 128 traffic stops that resulted in 11 citations.
Stolen Car Returned While Officer on Scene
The Lowell Police Department was contacted by a resident about a stolen car. The victim said they believed they knew who took the car and thought the individual was drunk.
While the officer was taking the report at the victim’s home, the suspect drove up in the vehicle, parked in the driveway and tried to walk into the house. When the officer said he needed to talk to the individual, the person tried to brush past saying they didn’t have time. The officer impressed upon them the need to make time.
Breaking and Entering at Exclusive
For the second month in a row, marijuana business Exclusive was the victim of breaking and entering. This incident occurred at about 6:19am and involved five perpetrators – four who broke in and one who waited in the vehicle, which appeared to be a white Dodge Durango.
A pry bar was used to gain access, and two thieves scooped up product while two others tried unsuccessfully to get into the store’s office. They were covered from head to toe, and the license plate on their vehicle was covered too. The criminals were in and out within four minutes before police could arrive.
“They are very good at this,” Police Chief Chris Hurst notes. The pry bar was recovered at the scene and sent to the state lab for processing, but police are not hopeful that it will return any useful information.
Slide-in to Meijer Driveway
A motorist traveling south on Alden Nash Ave. tried turning into Meijer but was apparently driving too fast and turning too sharply. Their vehicle flipped onto its side and slid into a vehicle waiting to exit. There were minor injuries in the crash, and both vehicles were damaged.
Road Rage on M-21
Two drivers were involved in an apparent road rage incident on M-21. The vehicles were traveling west on the highway toward the City of Lowell when one vehicle brake-checked the other.
The first car then pulled over and the other vehicle stopped behind them. The drivers got out of the car and apparently one pulled out a gun. When the other driver saw a green laser on his chest, he called police.
Once an officer arrived, both drivers apparently didn’t want to file a report, but the incident was written up and forwarded on to the prosecutor’s office for review.
Juveniles Caught Damaging Ballpark
Teens were caught at Recreation Park doing damage to the ballparks there and other areas of the former fairgrounds. Apparently, they were driving recklessly and tearing up the ground. The case has been referred to juvenile court.
Speeding Round-Up
According to a memo provided to Lowell City Council, the police department has a goal to make 180 traffic stops a month, or an average of 6 stops per 24-hour period. In September, the following streets saw the most stops:
- W. Main Street: 41
- Bowes Road: 33
- E. Main Street: 15
- S. Hudson Street: 15
- N. Hudson Street: 11
The Lowell Police Department also downloaded data from the speed signs on Hudson Street for May through mid-September. Nearly 650,000 vehicles were surveyed, and the results were as follows:
Southbound traffic on Hudson Street
- 30 mph and slower: 87.38%
- 31-40 mph: 12.37%
- 41 mph and faster: 0.21%
Northbound traffic on Hudson Street
- 30 mph and slower: 63.57%
- 31-40 mph: 35.65%
- 41 mph and faster: 0.78%
The department notes that it does not know how many of these vehicles were police, fire or EMS responding to emergency calls.
In future months, data from other speed signs on Main Street and Foreman Street will be downloaded and shared.
When you put a goal of 180 stops a month it sounds like you are trying to pay for police wages. I think you might end up up with a law suit. Be careful. Yes I care about police. Just don’t post how many stops the are required to make.