Councilors and multiple public speakers urged city action after citizen David Prestopino and others showed video and described ongoing drug use, human waste and assaults inside Bishop Markham, a Lowell Housing Authority property. Councilors asked the city manager to request reports from the housing authority, inspect common areas and identify immediate steps to protect residents.
The request, introduced during a motion from Councilors Robinson and Gitcheid, called for the Lowell Housing Authority to provide a report “on what preventative measures have been implemented at 227 Gorham Street in regards to vacancy and drug use situation in common areas as well as any inspection reports” performed in the past year. The item was brought up during the public comment section and debated among councilors and staff. Speakers described an assault on an 87‑year‑old resident, open drug dealing tied to fentanyl, and repeated filth in shared spaces; several councilors said they also viewed a video taken inside the building that showed feces and paraphernalia.
City Manager Golden and Assistant City Manager Machado said the administration and the Lowell Police Department have been responding and that the Neighborhood Response Unit and other teams are active; Golden said enforcement and outreach have picked up in recent weeks. Councilors asked the manager to press the housing authority to install cameras, increase weekend coverage, and provide inspection records, and to coordinate with the state delegation for additional treatment‑capacity options. A suspension of rules to allow a registered speaker was granted and the council directed the manager to follow up with a written report.
Public commenters pressed for fast action and for options such as onsite cameras and more coordinated weekend staffing. Several councilors said residents living in the building could not easily relocate and that the city needed to work with partners—including the housing authority, police, and state health systems—to address both criminal activity and addiction treatment needs.
The city manager said staff had already discussed coverage and enforcement with housing authority personnel, and that additional cooperation with state partners would be pursued. Councilors and the manager emphasized that homelessness alone is not a crime and that the city will continue to pursue a combination of enforcement, outreach, and referrals to treatment.
The council did not adopt a new ordinance or order eviction; instead it directed the manager to request records, report back to the council, and continue coordination with police and housing partners.