LOWELL — In recognition of Pride Month, Lowell Police Superintendent Greg Hudon and LGBTQ+ Liaison Officer Lt. Dawn Beauchesne would like to report that the Lowell Police Department has partnered with over 90 businesses to spread the Safe Place Initiative all across Lowell.
The Safe Place Initiative was first introduced by the Seattle Police Department in 2015, and has since spread to hundreds of law enforcement agencies across the United States, Europe, Australia, and Canada.
Adopted by Lowell Police in 2024, the initiative seeks to create safe places where anyone facing hate-based harassment or intimidation can go to await police while calling 911.
Businesses that participate in the initiative place a decal on the front of their business identifying it as a safe place for LGBTQ+ individuals to go if they are the victim of harassment or a hate crime.
“This location is a safe place for victims of hate crimes and harassment to call 911 and wait for police to arrive,” the decals state.
“We want to ensure that all members of our community feel safe, secure, and respected during this Pride Month and beyond,” said Superintendent Hudon. “I think it speaks volumes about the inclusivity and caring in the Lowell community that so many businesses have signed up for this initiative in less than a year.”
The initiative is run in Lowell by Lt. Beauchesne, who serves as the department’s LGBTQ+ Liaison Officer. Lt. Beauchesne, a 25-year veteran of the department, acts as a specially trained point of contact for anyone in the community who is LGBTQ+ and in need of services.
In addition to serving as a point person for LGBTQ+ individuals needing services, Lt. Beauchesne also works to educate Lowell Police colleagues on LGBTQ+ issues, and shares lessons learned in her specialized training in investigating hate crimes.
“We’re excited to see the success we’ve had with this program,” Lt. Beauchesne said. “It’s great to see that the Lowell community stands with the LGBTQ+ community.”
To contact the department’s LGBTQ+ Liaison or to ask questions about the Lowell Police Department’s Safe Place Initiative, please send an email to lpdlgbtq@lowellma.gov. To sign up for the Safe Place Initiative, visit: https://lowellpolice.org/safe-place-application/.
To report a crime, please call the non-emergency line at 978-937-3200 or visit the police station. To confidentially report a hate crime, please send an email to reporthatecrimes@lowellma.gov.
As always, in an emergency, residents are advised to call 911.
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