The Lawrence Police Department presented a summary of work done under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) grant and answered council questions on Feb. 4, 2025. Officers said the PSN‑funded unit conducts directed patrols with the Massachusetts State Police focusing on drug trafficking and gun violence; the department reported previously receiving $50,000 and this year receiving $30,000 under the program.

"So basically the grant is, the street crimes unit, which is the drug unit and the gang unit. We partner with the Mass State Police, and we do directed patrols, in certain neighborhoods. And we focus on drug trafficking and gun violence," an officer told the council. The officer said the multi‑agency partnership has led to arrests and seizures in prior years.

Councilor Luzon raised concern about a term used in a state‑issued report the council received that referred to a "Dominican Drug Trafficking Organization." She asked how the state produced that label and whether the city or the police department compiles the statistics that led to the designation. The police representative said the department forwards booking sheets and arrest information to state police personnel who compile the statewide report.

"No. They're not all Dominicans," the police presenter said in response to the councilor’s concern. He said the state — not the city — assembles the comparative statistics and names groups in the report; local officers supply arrest and booking data that the state aggregates.

Councilors asked for more granular data going forward, including counts of customers and their states of origin (the presentation listed customers from New Hampshire, Maine and Vermont). One councilor requested the department track how many individuals from each neighboring state travel to Lawrence for drug activity; the police officer said the unit compiles totals and agreed to provide further detail to the council.

The council then voted on the item related to the PSN grant; the chair called for the question and recorded voice votes with the result "the ayes have it."