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February 29, 2008
Why wait for the worst to happen?
Lowell needs a police surge downtown. The city needs more feet on the street and working the beat.
Violent crime might be down statistically, but disturbing, brazen, daylight violence is up in the public's mind. And that's all that matters.
Cars windshields are being smashed in broad daylight, and packs of teens are horsing around on sidewalks, giving the impression that there's a fight waiting to break out.
In one instance last week, a group of teens, including a female, either smashed a restaurant-front window on Merrimack Street or pushed someone through it. A visitor from Pennsylvannia, eating dinner at 6 p.m., was sprayed with glass and injured. He needed 34 stitches to close his head wounds.
No one has been arrested and likely never will be. The business owner faces a $1,000 loss to replace the window and the very distinct possibility of a lawsuit that could threaten the restaurant's future.
Several days earlier, a bank and two convenience stores were robbed near the city proper, during business hours. The bank in question was robbed for the second time in less than a month.
What's disturbing is that the crime trend is continuing less than two weeks after Police Superintendent Kenneth Lavallee predicted a "lull" in the surge in robberies. At least he didn't declare "mission accomplished," as President Bush did.
For the record, there have been eight bank robberies in Lowell since Sept. 20, 2007, and 12 others involving restaurants and stores.
Granted, there are factors that drive urban crime: drugs, the economic downturn, joblessness, etc.
Still, the city can't tolerate lawlessness on any level, especially with the delicate economic highwire Lowell is already riding on in its effort to attract new businesses, residents and visitors.
It doesn't help that on any given day when school gets out, emboldened youths jaywalk the city streets, daring the oncoming traffic to strike them. It's as if the punks are toying with the public. It's as if they command the downtown streets.
These punks might represent a minority, but they are a pretty visible and intimidating minority. The impression is a bad one for Lowell and anyone entertaining the notion of investing here.
Lowell police don't only need more of a working presence in the downtown -- they need a presence with a purpose. And that's got to come from the top. When police see citizens being being disrespected and property being threatened with damage and abuse, they should act decisively and set down the law. Saturate the downtown. Take back the streets.
This is sensitive stuff. We're sure we'll hear from the great defenders of Lowell's public image that we're overreacting. Well, we'd rather overreact than wait for the worst to happen before we weigh in. Consider this an ounce of preventive advice.
Lowell needs a police surge downtown.
Posted by Admin at February 29, 2008 3:32 PM
Comments
There is indeed a need to increase police presence in downtown but too, the people of Lowell need to step up and take responsibility for the City, working with the police department.
The awakening of the City over the past years has been a delight to watch. The restaurants, entertainment, cultural and historic venues attract thousands annually. Crime will negatively impact the efforts that bring life to Lowell.
Ownership and pride need to be nurtured in all age groups, including adolescents. Ask, "What can you do for Lowell?"...or, "What have you done for Lowell?"
While the jay-walking is annoying, just as annoying and dangerous is the number of drivers blowing through red lights at high rates of speed in the City. A red signal light seems to be the new 'yellow'. In addition to a higher police presence in the downtown area there is a need for greater traffic enforcement as well. Starting at the surface roads that provide access to Lowell's bridges would be a start.
Together we can make Lowell better.
Posted by: sue at March 2, 2008 11:59 AM
