School Resource Officer Erica Torres smiles as she shows two kids how the sirens in her police cruiser work. (Courtesy Lowell Police Department)

LOWELL — Superintendent Greg Hudon is pleased to report that the Lowell Police Department hosted its third annual Lowell Police Youth Outreach Day on Wednesday with support from law enforcement and community partners.

Forming positive relationships with community members, especially youth, is a high priority for the Lowell Police Department as the department seeks to build trust with the public. Youth Outreach Day is a fun-filled day of games and activities that are meant to help police and community members connect. 

The Lowell Fire Department, the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council, Massachusetts State Police, National Park Police, Dracut Police, UMass Lowell Police and the Middlesex Sheriff’s Office all had vehicles available for children and adults to check out. A video game truckwas on hand, and police offered free pizza, drinks and ice cream to all in attendance.

Grant funding from the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Shannon Community Safety Initiative was used to provide inflatable carnival games. The Lowell Police Superior and Patrol Officer’s Unions provided raffle baskets, and the Greater Lowell Health Alliance donated backpacks full of school supplies.

“I want to thank all of our law enforcement and community partners who helped us once again make Youth Outreach Day a success,” said Superintendent Hudon. “The Lowell Police Department takes our responsibility to build trust with community members very seriously, and events like this help our officers connect with the community in a fun, and positive way.”

Student Police Officer Dylan DaSilva smiles as he works at a carnival game. (Courtesy Lowell Police Department)
A family takes photos with the Lowell Police Department’s new School Resource Officer cruiser, at left, behind the statue of Officer Christos Rouses, the last Lowell Police Officer to give his life in the line of duty. (Courtesy Lowell Police Department)
From left, Officer Domenic Lessieur, Superintendent Greg Hudon and Sgt. Mike Marshall pose for a photo with a young man at Youth Outreach Day. (Courtesy Lowell Police Department)
Officer Domenic Lessieur spars with a participant in the Lowell Police Youth Services Boxing Program during Youth Outreach Day. (Courtesy Lowell Police Department)
Lowell Police Officer Jason Gatto, who is a member of the Northeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council SWAT Team, helps a young man out of a NEMLEC SWAT vehicle that was on hand. (Courtesy Lowell Police Department)
School Resource Officer Erica Torres poses with a young man who won a backpack full of school supplies during one of several raffles that were held at Youth Outreach Day. (Courtesy Lowell Police Department)