CENTER CITY COMMITTEE
MEETING MINUTES
April 4, 2002

Present: Janet Leggat, Bill Lipchitz, Joe Lipchitz, Bill McGowan, Kathy Lantagne, Colleen Cox, Richard Hyatt, Bob Flynn, Pam Beckwith, Audrey Ambrosino, Marshall Field, Russ Smith, Ed Davis, Ken Lavallee and Friends.

Today's meeting was held at the Cross Point Towers in the Lowell Police Department Training Facility, Lowell.

Ed Davis welcomed the Center City Committee to the Lowell Police Department's Compstat Meeting and began by explaining its origins and the nature of policing in Lowell. He noted how economic development is vital to the underpinning of public safety issues. Capt. Siopes, leader of the East Sector, which includes downtown, then presented an impressive explanation of the various crime statistics for her area and the approaches taken in dealing with them. At each point, people were invited to ask questions and offer comments that might be helpful in dealing with the issues raised. The inclusive and comprehensive nature of the people who normally attend these meeting suggested a thorough and useful team approach in dealing with crime.

By 11:00 am when most Center City members had to leave, it was quite clear that the Lowell Police Department has a competent and professional grasp of the problems and a clear strategy in dealing with them. Bill thanked the Chief for including the Committee members and cited the overall feeling of safety and security of the downtown which is due to a great extent to the policies and administration of Chief Davis and his excellent staff.

Gary McGee Chief Probation Office of the Lowell District Court agreed to attend our meeting in the near future.

View a discussion of various issues on the Issues Page and see what's new on the News Page.