Lowell Police Want Bars To Close An Hour Earlier To Curb Violence
LOWELL (CBS) – The city of Lowell has seen a 54-percent increase in violence in the downtown this year. Because of that, the city's police want bars to close their doors early, from the 2 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Police Superintendent Ken Lavalee believes that would lead to fewer people coming into town for last call and would reduce criminal activity.
Lavalee says the proposal isn't meant to hurt local businesses, but he wants to work with bar owners to control patron's access to alcohol.
WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Bernice Corpuz reports
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"I think that there are people who are getting intoxicated, and when they get intoxicated, it creates problems," says Lavalee.
A woman interviewed by WBZ believes it's a good idea.
She says, "I think that alcohol is the devil's way of getting to people, and it creates a lot of crime."
But Patty Stella, who owns Centro restaurant and bar, doesn't think it's a long-term solution. She thinks the same people will be just leaving the bars an hour earlier, and the outcome will be the same.
