Lowell City Middlesex County Crime Index

According to the 2018 report published by the Records Management unit, Lowell Police Department, there was approximately one offense committed for every 309 Lowell City residents in 2018.

• The violent crime index was 324.14 per 100,000 people, representing a 12.04% increase from the previous year. Cases include
  • Murders - 3.57 per 100,000 people, representing a 296.67% increase from the previous year.
  • Rape - approximately one act of rape was committed for every 4,670 Lowell City residents in 2018. That is an estimated 21.43 cases of rape per 100,000 people, representing an 83.48% rise from the previous year.
  • Robbery - It is estimated that 1 out of every 1,070 Lowell City residents was a victim of a robbery in 2018, accounting for a 27.54% reduction in cases of robbery from the previous year.
  • Cases of aggravated assault increased by 39.37%.
• Property Crime - In 2018, there was a 22.32% decline in rates of property crime in the city, compared to 2017. Incidents of burglary reduced by 25.78%, larceny by 16.8%, Motor Vehicle Theft by 39.08%. Cases of Arson, however, increased by 48.89%
• Traffic Crime -
  • DUI/OUI/OWI/DWI - There were 113 cases of DUI offenses in 2018, 140% more than the previous year.

In 2019, the Lowell Police Department recorded a total of 5,108 offenses, including crime against society and a crime rate of 4,584 crimes per 100,000 people. Both statistics represent an estimated 6% decline from the 2018 crime records.

Violent crimes and property crimes accounted for 405 and 1,652 of the total index. The City Police reported four homicides, 20 rape crimes, 100 robberies, 281 aggravated assaults, 292 burglaries, 1,190 larceny-thefts, 170 motor vehicle thefts, and ten arson. In addition to this, there were 234 cases of OUI and drug/alcohol-related offenses in 2019.

Middlesex County Superior Court - Lowell

The Middlesex County Superior Court has the general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal cases in the county. However, the court mostly handles cases beyond the scope of other county courts. In Massachusetts, Superior Courts hear felonies or cases punishable by more than five years imprisonment and have exclusive jurisdiction over first-degree murder cases. In addition, most abuse prevention hearings are under the scope of the court.

The Middlesex County Superior Court also handles civil cases of general civil claims for money damages that exceed $25,000. It also handles cases that seek equitable relief, some real property cases, and cases made by or against the State of Massachusetts.

In response to the COVID-19 Pandemic, Middlesex County Superior Court - Lowell now conducts most court business virtually, by telephone, videoconference, or email. When physical appearance is required, the court may conduct business in a recorder's, register's, clerk's, or probation staff's office. Until otherwise advised, Superior Court operations in Lowell City are suspended but one emergency civil session for the Superior Court working in Woburn is still allowed. Case filings for the Lowell City-based Middlesex Superior Court will be managed in the Woburn branch. The emergency session is administered by a team made of one judge and one session clerk on a rotating basis.

Parties and visitors are required to follow Middlesex County Superior Court COVID-19 guidelines, policies, and protocols, including

• Tips for participants and protocol for requesting a teleconference or videoconference hearing in Massachusetts Superior Court criminal cases
• COVID-19 Pandemic Guidelines for Criminal Case Session Operation in Middlesex County
• COVID-19 Pandemic Guidelines for Civil Case Session Operation in Middlesex County
• COVID-19 Pandemic Alternative Options for resolving Civil Cases in the Superior Court

For further information, parties may contact the court at

Middlesex County Superior Court - Lowell:

360 Gorham Street

Lowell, MA 01852

Phone: (978) 453-0201 (Civil)

Phone: (978) 453-4181 (Criminal)

Fax: (978) 970-2386

Email: Middlesex.clerksoffice@jud.state.ma.us

Northeast Housing Court - Lowell Session

The Northeast Housing Court in Lowell has limited jurisdiction and handles cases majorly related to health, welfare, and real property. This includes the safety of property occupants, owners, and the community. This court also handles claims that stem from violations of state and local ordinances, such as building and sanitation codes.

Northeast Housing Court - Lowell Session

Courthouse Address:

Courtroom 1, Superior Court

360 Gorham Street

Lowell, MA 01852

Phone: (978) 689-7833
Email: NortheastHousingCourt@jud.state.ma.us

The court shares jurisdiction with other trial courts on some criminal and civil cases but is typically open only on Monday mornings while in session. During other hours, parties with pending Lowell housing court business may contact:

The Northeast Housing Court - Lawrence Session

Fenton Judicial Center

2 Appleton Street 
2nd Floor
Lawrence, MA 01840
Phone: (978) 689-7833
Email: NortheastHousingCourt@jud.state.ma.us

All Housing Court Jury trials for Lowell City are handled at the Lawrence Session. All filings and other Lowell housing court correspondence should also be directed to the Lawrence session.

Lowell City District Court

The Lowell City District Court has jurisdiction over all cases of felonies with a possible penalty of five years in prison. It also hears misdemeanor cases and ordinance violations in Lowell City. Small claims cases liable to penalties of as much as $7,000 such as disputes over loans, warranties, repairs, or contract deposits fall under the jurisdiction of the Lowell District court. The court also hears civil matters where potential damages are no more than $50,000, like in the case of non-monetary conflicts over property, name changes, or restraining orders.

Lowell District Court conducts most court business virtually, by telephone, videoconference, or email. When physical appearance is required, the court may conduct business in a recorder's, register's, clerk's, or probation staff's office. Parties and visitors are required to follow Lowell District Court COVID-19 guidelines including

• self-screening before going to court to check for any COVID-19 symptoms
• Making an appointment to facilitate the visit.
• Wearing a face mask throughout the duration in the courthouse and observe social distancing.
• Limiting the number of people in the courthouse and any specific courthouse area to ensure social distancing.

For further information, parties may contact the court at

Lowell District Court

370 Jackson Street

Lowell City, Massachusetts 01852

Phone: (978) 459-4101.

Fax: Clerk’s Office (978) 937-2486

Probation Department: (978) 458-7149
Email: cmlowelldc@jud.state.ma.us

Judges assigned to Lowell City are appointed by the governor with help from a nominating commission and confirmed by the Governor's Council in Massachusetts. They serve until age 70. District court judges receive temporary assignments to specific geographic jurisdictions, and those assignments may change over time.

University of Massachusetts Lowell

The University of Massachusetts Lowell is located at

220 Pawtucket Street

Lowell, MA 01854

The University Police Department prepares an annual security report in compliance with Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act to ensure its students' safety and compare the campus security status over the years.

Crime statistics at the Lowell campus show:

• Violent Crime - In 2019, there were 14 violent offenses recorded at the Lowell City Campus, 7.7% higher than the previous year where 13 incidents were reported.
  • Murders -there was 1 incident of murder in 2019 and none in 2018 and 2017.
  • Rape - There were 9 rape cases in total in 2019, representing a 25% decline from incidents reported in the previous year.
  • Robbery - There was 1 incident of robbery in 2019, the same as in 2018, but 75% less than reported in 2017.
  • Aggravated Assault - In total, there were 3 aggravated assault incidents in 2019, representing a 50% increase from 2018 and 2017 reports.
• Property Crime - In 2019, there was a 22.32% decline in rates of property crime in the city, compared to 2018. There were no cases of Arson, incidents of burglary stayed the same, Motor Vehicle Thefts increased by 50% from the previous year.
• Other Violations -
  • Fondling - The report shows six incidents of fondling on campus, a 500% increase from 2018 when 1 incident was reported.
  • Drugs Law - Although there were two drug law violations referred for disciplinary action in 2019 and none 2 years prior, Drug Law Arrests reduced by 100%.
  • Weapons Law - In 2019, disciplinary actions were recommended for 4 on-campus and 1 off-campus weapon law violation. 1 arrest was made in 2019 on public property, but no incident was recorded in 2018.
  • Domestic Violence - There were 7 cases of domestic violence recorded by Campus Security in 2019, 40% more than recorded in 2018
  • Stalking - 1 incident of stalking was recorded in 2019, the same as in 2018.

Middlesex Community College(MCC)- Lowell Campus

According to the Middlesex Community College security department of public health and safety, there were no violent crimes on the Lowell campus in 2018. The campus security publishes an Annual Safety and Security Report. According to the 2018 report, there was 1 reported case of robbery and no traffic or motor vehicle theft cases on campus. In 2019. 1 burglary offense was recorded.

The Lowell City campus is located at:
 Middlesex Community College

33 Kearney Square

Lowell, MA 01852 
Email: middlesex@middlesex.mass.edu

Massachusetts resident (800) 818-3434

From outside the state (978) 656-3370