LDNA 2/24/20
7 PM, LTC
Present:
Carolyn Alphen
Jack Moynihan (Arrived at 7:14)
Sam Litvin
Meeting called to order at: 7:03.
Opening greeting
Approval of minutes
Approval of January 2020 minutes: Not posted — postponed.
Treasurer’s Report
$980.29 balance in account.
Police Report
Capt Kennedy – In charge of downtown district.
- 3 agg assaults;
- 1 was against officer during traffic stop
- 1 male shot my bb gun; under investigation.
- 1 arrest was made.
- 1 burglary – kids mischief
- 1 burg under investigation
- Car breaks – doors were unlocked and electronics stolen. LOCK YOUR DOORS!
- 6 disorderliness
- Several at smokehouse at closing
- 2 at Appleton St involving homeless
- 1 at central st; traffic stop with hostile driver
- A spree of car vandalism seems to have been a 1-time thing involving juveniles.
- City is looking at rolling back bar closing times. This might help with craziness at bar closings.
- Carolyn: LDNA isn’t sure rolling back hours is the solution; maybe giving the license commission better tools to deal with the bad actors would be a good step.
- Police Lt: The problem is really after the bars close and when everyone is out on the street trying to get to their cars. Bar owners are generally cooperative with LPD.
- Capt Kennedy: LDNA should let license commission know what we think.
Q: Do you know anything about a car damaging the building at Ayer Lofts over the weekend.
A: No. I can look into it.
Q: Will we be able to walk over the signature bridge at night?
A: Yes. The whole area will be very well lit and patrolled once the bridge and judicial center opens in early March.
Q: Can anything be done to improve the lighting and/or police patrols in the dark part of Prescott Street.
A: Not sure what can be done about lighting due to the tall building. But we will look into it.
Q: Will parking enforcement be stepped up when the courthouse opens before the garage is ready?
A: That’s really a question for the parking dept.
Christine McCall
- 2020 Census. 1st time you can respond online. You will get an ID code in the mail that you can use to sign in online.
- Homeless count will take place over 3 days. People living with friends/relatives should be listed on the resident’s census.
- Pamphlet explains how to identify a real census enumerator who might come to your door.
- Even if you fill out the online or paper census, a census worker might come to your door because of other surveys (e.g. ACS) that the census bureau conducts.
General Information
- Harvard Graduate students were Downtown and in the Highlands asking about what was lacking in these areas.
- But what about residents’ interests? Hamilton area is a neighborhood not an industrial park. We need lighting and open space, etc.
- Hopefully the city won’t take their recommendations without having open dialog with the residents.
- Lighting along Pawtucket canal needs to be turned back on.
- Axe-throwing venue is coming to Lowell! Beer will be served, of course.
Meeting Adjourns at 8:02.