Lowell Massachusetts MA Warrant Search

Lowell, Massachusetts Lowell is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, USA. The estimated population in 2009 according to the U.S. Census Bureau was 103,229. It is the fifth largest city in the state. Lowell and Cambridge are the county seats of Middlesex County. History Founded in the 1820s as a planned manufacturing center for textiles, Lowell is located along the rapids of the Merrimack River, 30 miles northwest of Boston in what was once the farming community of East Chelmsford, Massachusetts. The so-called Boston Associates, including Nathan Appleton and Patrick Tracy Jackson of the Boston Manufacturing Company, named the new mill town after their visionary leader, Francis Cabot Lowell, who had died five years before its 1823 incorporation. As Lowell's population grew, it acquired more land from neighboring towns, and diversified into a full-fledged urban center. Many of the men who comprised the labor force for constructing the canals and factories had immigrated from Ireland, escaping the poverty and Potato Famines of the 1830s and 1840s. The mill workers, young single women called Mill Girls, generally came from the farm families of New England.By the 1850s Lowell had the largest industrial complex in the United States. The textile industry wove cotton produced in the South. In 1860, there were more cotton spindles in Lowell than in all eleven states combined that would form the Confederacy. The city continued to thrive as a major industrial center during the 19th century, attracting more migrant workers and immigrants to its mills. Next were the Catholic Germans, then a large influx of French Canadians during the 1870s and 1880s. Later waves of immigrants included Portuguese, Polish, Lithuanians Swedes, and eastern European Jews. They came to work in Lowell and settled in ethnic neighborhoods, with the city's population reaching almost 50% foreign-born by 1900. By the time World War I broke out in Europe, the city had reached its economic and population peak of over 110,000 people.The Mill Cities' manufacturing base declined as many companies began to relocate to the South in the 1920s. The city fell into deep hard times, and was called a 'depressed industrial desert' by Harper's Magazine in 1931, as the Great Depression deepened. More than one-third of its population was 'on relief', as only three of its major textile corporations remained active. Several years later, the mills were reactivated, making parachutes and other military necessities for the World War II effort. However, this economic boost was short-lived and the post-war years saw the last textile plants close.Over the next few decades, the city was just a shadow of itself. In the 1970s, Lowell became part of the Massachusetts Miracle, being the headquarters of Wang Laboratories. At the same time, Lowell became home to thousands of new immigrants, many from Cambodia, following the genocide at the hands of the Khmer Rouge. The city continued to rebound, but this time, focusing more on culture. The former mill district along the river was partially restored and became part of the Lowell National Historical Park, founded in the late 1970s.Although Wang went bankrupt in 1992, the city continued its cultural focus by hosting the nation's largest free folk festival, Lowell Folk Festival, as well as many other cultural events. This effort began to attract other companies and families back to the urban center. Additional historic manufacturing and commercial buildings were adapted as residential units and office space. By the 1990s, Lowell built a new ballpark and arena, which became home to two minor league sports teams, the Lowell Devils and Lowell Spinners. The city also began to have a larger student population. The University of Massachusetts Lowell and Middlesex Community College expanded their programs and enrollment. Geography Lowell is located at 42°38′22″N 71°18′53″W / 42.63944°N 71.31472°W / 42.63944; -71.31472 (42.639444, -71.314722). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.5 square miles (37.7 km²).13.8 square miles (35.7 km²) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.0 km²) of it (5.23%) is water. Physical Lowell is located at the confluence of the Merrimack and Concord rivers. The Pawtucket Falls, a mile-long set of rapids with a total drop in elevation of 32 feet, ends where the two rivers meet. At the top of the falls is the Pawtucket Dam, designed to turn the upper Merrimack into a millpond, diverted through Lowell's extensive canal system.The Merrimack, which flows southerly from Franklin, New Hampshire to Lowell, makes a northeasterly turn there before emptying into the Atlantic Ocean at Newburyport, Massachusetts, approximately 40 miles downriver from Lowell. It is believed that in prior ages, the Merrimack continued south from Lowell to empty into the ocean somewhere near Boston. The glacial deposits that redirected the flow of the river left the drumlins that dot the city, most notably, Fort Hill in the Belvidere neighborhood. Other large hills in Lowell include Lynde Hill, also in Belvidere, and Christian Hill, in the easternmost part of Centralville.The Concord, or Musketaquid (its original name), forms from the confluence of the Assabet and Sudbury rivers at Concord, Massachusetts. This river flows north into the city, and the area around the confluence with the Merrimack was known as Wamesit. Like the Merrimack, the Concord, although a much smaller river, has many waterfalls and rapids that served as power sources for early industrial purposes, some well before the founding of Lowell. Immediately after the Concord joins the Merrimack, the Merrimack descends another ten feet in Hunt's Falls.There is a ninety-degree bend in the Merrimack partway down the Pawtucket Falls. At this point, the river briefly widens and shallows. Here, Beaver Brook enters from the north, separating the City's two northern neighborhoods, Pawtucktville and Centralville. Entering the Concord River from the southwest is River Meadow, or Hale's Brook. This brook flows largely in a man-made channel, as the Lowell Connector was built along it. Both of these minor streams have limited industrial histories as well.The bordering towns (clockwise from north) are Dracut, Tewksbury, Billerica, Chelmsford, and Tyngsboro. The border with Billerica is a point in the middle of the Concord River where Lowell and Billerica meet Tewksbury and Chelmsford.The ten communities designated part of the Lowell Metropolitan area by the 2000 US Census are Billerica, Chelmsford, Dracut, Dunstable, Groton, Lowell, Pepperell, Tewksbury, Tyngsboro, and Westford, and Pelham, NH. See Greater Lowell. Neighborhoods Lowell currently has eight distinct neighborhoods; the Acre, Back Central, Belvidere, Centralville, Downtown, Highlands, Pawtucketville, and South Lowell. The City also has 5 zip codes, 4 are geographically distinct general zip codes and 1 is for PO-boxes only (01853).The Centralville neighborhood, zip code 01850, is the northeastern section of the city, north of the Merrimack River and east of Beaver Brook. Christian Hill is the section of Centralville, located east of Bridge Street.The Highlands is the most populated neighborhood with almost a quarter of the city residing here, zip code 01851, and is the southwestern section of the city, bordered to the east by the Lowell Connector and to the north by the railroad. Lowellians further distinguish the sections of the Highlands as the Upper Highlands and the Lower Highlands referring to the area closer to downtown. Middlesex Village, Tyler Park and Drum Hill are in this zip code.Belvidere, Back Central and South Lowell make up the 01852 zip code, and are the southeastern sections of the city (south of the Merrimack River and south east of the Lowell Connector). Belvidere is the mostly residential area south of the Merrimack River, east of the Concord River and north of the Lowell and Lawrence railroad. Belvidere Hill is an Historic District along Fairmount St. Lower Belvidere refers to the section west of Nesmith Street. Back Central is an urban area south of downtown towards the mouth of River Meadow Brook. South Lowell is the area south of the railroad and east of the Concord River. Other neighborhoods in this zip code are Ayers City, Bleachery, Chapel Hill, the Grove, Oaklands, Riverside Park, Swede Village and Wigginsville, but their use is mostly antiquatedThe zip code 01854 is the northwestern portion of the city and includes Pawtucketville, the University of Massachusetts, Lowell and the Acre. Pawtucketville is where famous writer Jack Kerouac resided around the area of University Ave (previously known as Moody Street). North campus of UMASS Lowell is located in Pawtucketville. The older parts of the neighborhood are located around University Avenue and Mammoth Road, whereas the newer parts are located around Varnum Avenue. Middle and elementary schools for this area include Wang Middle School, Pawtucketville Memorial, Mccavinue elementary school and private school St. Jeanne D'arc. Pawtucketville is the official entrance to the Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest. Pawtucketville's Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsborough State Forest is the probable site of a notable Native American tribe, and in age of the Industrial Revolution was a prominent source where granite for canals and factory foundations were obtained. Transportation Lowell can be reached by automobile from Interstate 495, US Route 3, the Lowell Connector, and Massachusetts Routes 3A, 38, 110, 113, and 133. There are six bridges crossing the Merrimack River in Lowell, and four crossing the Concord River (not including the two for 495).For public transit, Lowell is served by the Lowell Regional Transit Authority, which provides fixed route bus services and paratransit services to the city and surrounding area. These connect at the Gallagher Transit Terminal to the Lowell Line of the MBTA commuter rail system, which connects Lowell to Boston. The terminal is also served by several intercity bus lines.The Lowell National Historical Park provides a free streetcar shuttle between its various sites in the city center, using track formerly used to provide freight access to the city's mills. Demographics According to the 2000 Census, there were 105,167 people residing in the city. The population density was 7,635.6 people per square mile (2,948.8/km²). There were 39,468 housing units at an average density of 2,865.5/sq mi (1,106.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was;68.60%White(U.S. Average: 75.1%) 16.52%Asian American(U.S. Average: 3.6%) 4.21%African American(U.S. Average: 12.3%) 0.24%Native American(U.S. Average: 0.1%) 0.04%Pacific Islander(U.S. Average: 0.1%) 6.48% fromother races(U.S. Average: 5.5%) 3.92% from two or more races. (U.S. Average: 2.4%) Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.01% of the population. (U.S. Average: 12.5%)Lowell had the highest percentage of ethnic Cambodians of any place in the United States, with 10.37% of its population being Cambodian, second only to Long Beach, California. Estimates of the total number of Cambodians living in the city of Lowell range from 11,000 to 25,000-35,000. The Government of Cambodia had opened up its third U.S. Consular Office in Lowell, on April 27, 2009, with Sovann Ou as current advisor to the Cambodian Embassy. The other two are in Long Beach and Seattle, Washington, which also has a large community.In 2000, there were 37,887 households, and 23,982 families living in Lowell; the average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.35.34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them.(U.S. Average: 32.8%) 40.1% weremarried couplesliving together. (U.S. Average: 51.7%) 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present. (U.S. Average: 12.2%) 36.7% were non-families. (U.S. Average: 31.9%) 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals.(U.S. Average: 25.8%) 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. (U.S. Average: 9.2%) In 2000, the city's population had a median age of 31 (U.S. Average: 35.3).26.9% under the age of 18 11.9% from 18 to 24. 32.5% from 25 to 44 17.9% from 45 to 64 10.8% who were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.1 males.The median income for a household in the city was $39,192 (U.S. Average: $41,994). The median income for a family was $45,901. (U.S. Average: $50,046) Males had a median income of $33,554 versus $27,399 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,557. About 13.6% of families (U.S. Average: 9.2%) and 16.8% of individuals (U.S. Average: 12.4%) were below the poverty line, including 23.2% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over. Government Lowell has a 'Plan E form' Council-manager government. There are nine city councilors and six school committee members, all elected at large in a non-partisan election. The City Council chooses one of its members as mayor, and another as vice-mayor; the mayor serves as chair of the council, serves as the seventh member of the school committee, and performs certain ceremonial duties. The administrative head of the city government is the City Manager, who is responsible for all day-to-day operations, functioning within the guidelines of City Council policy, and is hired by and serves at the pleasure of the City Council as whole. As of January 2010, the City Manager is Bernard F. Lynch and James L. Milinazzo is the Mayor.As of August 2005, Lowell became part of one Massachusetts Senate district. State Representatives Lowell's State Representatives are currentlySixteenth Middlesex, represented byThomas A. Golden,Jr.(D) Seventeenth Middlesex, represented byDavid M. Nangle(D) Eighteenth Middlesex, represented byKevin J. Murphy(D)) The two U.S. Senators from Massachusetts, representing at large, are John Kerry (D) and Scott Brown (R). Massachusetts General Court In the Massachusetts General Court Lowell's State Senator to the Massachusetts Senate is currently:First Middlesex, represented bySteven C. Panagiotakos United States Congress The City of Lowell is part of the Massachusetts Fifth Congressional District, represented by Niki Tsongas (D), as well as the Third Governor's Council District represented by Marilyn Petitto Devaney.kos]] (D) Newspapers The Sun (Lowell)-Daily Newspaper Radio WCAPAM 980, talk radio WUMLFM 91.5, UMass Lowell-owned station Points of interest Among the many tourist attractions, Lowell also currently has 39 places on the National Register of Historic Places including many buildings and structures as part of the Lowell National Historical Park.Lowell National Historical Park: Maintains Lowell's history as an early manufacturing and immigrant city. Exhibits include weave rooms, a waterpower exhibit, and paths along 5.6 miles of largely restored canals. Lowell-Dracut-Tyngsboro State Forest: Hiking, biking, and cross-country skiing trails in an urban state forest University of Massachusetts Lowell: State university Vandenberg Esplanade: Walking, biking, swimming, and picnicking park along the banks of theMerrimack River. Contains theSampas Pavilion. Lowell High School: The first desegregated and co-educational high school in the United States Jack Kerouac's birthplace: In the Centralville section of the city at 9 Lupine Road. Bette Davis's birthplace: In the Highlands section of the city at 22 Chester Street. Edson Cemetery: burial site ofJack Kerouac,John McFarland,PassaconawayandWilliam Preston Phelps. 1375 Gorham Street. The Worthen House:Edgar Allan Poepurportedly visited this tavern and local lore suggests he wrote some of 'The Raven' here. The Acre: Lowell's gateway neighborhood where waves of immigrants have established their communities University of Massachusetts Lowell Radiation Laboratory: The site of a small nuclear reactor at the school Yorick Building: Former home of the gentlemen's club the 'Yorick Club', currently a restaurant & function facility. Culture In the early years of 1840's when the population quickly exceeded 20,000, Lowell became very active as a cultural center, with the construction of the Lowell Museum, the Mechanics' Hall, as well as, the new City Hall used for art exhibits, lectures, and for the performing arts. The Lowell Museum was lost in a devastating fire in the early morning of January 31, 1856, but was quickly rehoused in a new location. The Lowell Art Association was founded in 1876, and the new Opera House was built in 1889.Continuing to inspire and entertain, Lowell currently has a plethora of artistic exhibitions and performances throughout a wide range of venues in the city: Museums and public galleries 119 Gallery The American Textile History Museum Ayer LoftsArtist Live-work Lofts The Boott Cotton Mills Museum:Lowell National Historic Park Brush Art Gallery and Studios The New England Quilt Museum National Streetcar Museum Patrick J. Morgan Cultural Center:Lowell National Historic Park The Revolving Museum'Making Space for Art and Community.' Whistler House Museum of Art- Art museum in birthplace ofJames McNeill Whistler. Western Avenue Studios- A converted mill with over 160 working artists and musicians. Interactive and live performances Arts League of Lowell Angkor Dance Troupe- Cambodian classical and folk dance company and youth program Center for Lowell History, University of Massachusetts Lowell- local history library and archive Lowell Memorial Auditorium- Mid-sized venue for live performances. Lowell Summer Music Series- Boarding House Park Lowell Rocks- Lowell nightlife and entertainment web site Lowell Telecommunication Corporation(LTC) - A community media and technology center Merrimack Repertory Theater- Professional equity theater Play by Player's Theatre Company - critically acclaimed community theater Lowell Philharmonic Orchestra- Community orchestra presenting free concerts and offering youth programs RRRecords- Internationally known record label and store Standing Room Only Players - musical review troupe The Gentlemen SongstersThe Lowell Chapter of The Barbershop Harmony Society -Causing Harmony In The Merrimack Valley. Lowell Poetry Network- A network of area poets and appreciators of poetry who host readings, receptions, and open mics. U-Mass Lowell Music Performances The United Teen Equality CenterA by teens, for teens youth center promoting peace, positivity and empowerment for young people in Lowell. Sports On April 1, 2006, Lowell held the 2006 World Curling Championships for the men's teams at the Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell.University of Massachusetts LowellRiver Hawks, NCAA Division I Hockey, and Division II Soccer, Basketball, Baseball, Softball, Track & Field, Cross Country, Volleyball Lowell Spinners- Class A short-season professionalbaseballaffiliate of theBoston Red Sox Lowell All-Americans-NECBL(Collegiate Summer Baseball) New England Riptide- National Pro Fastpitch League (Major League Softball) Lowell Nor'easter- Semi-Professional football team (New England Football League) Venues Edward A. LeLacheur ParkBaseball Stadium, shared by Lowell Spinners and the University of Massachusetts Lowell Lowell Memorial Auditorium- performance and boxing venue. Tsongas Center at UMass Lowell- multi-use sports and concert venue (6500 seats hockey, 7800 concerts)- the University of Massachusetts Lowell River Hawks, and various arena shows Cawley Memorial Stadium- Stadium forLowell High Schooland other sporting events around theMerrimack Valley. UsesFieldTurf Sampas Pavilion- Outdoor amphitheater on the banks of theMerrimack River Stoklosa Alumni Field- Baseball stadium, used by Lowell All-Americans (4,000 seats) Annual events FEB:Winterfest- celebration of winter. MAY:Doors Open Lowella celebration of preservation, architecture, and design where many historic buildings that normally have limited public access are open for viewing JUNE:African Festival- A celebration of the various African communities in and around Lowell JULY:Lowell Folk Festival- three day free folk festival attended by on average 250,000 people on the last weekend in July AUG:Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival- celebrates Southeast Asian culture OCT:The Massachusetts Poetry Festival- an event that celebrates poets and poetry in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. OCT:Bay State Marathon- Octobermarathonand half marathon Businesses started and/or products invented in Lowell CVS/pharmacy Moxie- the first mass-producedsoft drinkin the U.S. Father John's Medicine Wang Laboratories-Massachusetts Miraclecomputer company Telephone numbers, 1879, Lowell is the first U.S. city to have phone numbers, two years after Alexander Graham Bell demonstrates his telephone in Lowell. Francis Turbine- A highly efficient water-powered turbine Market Basket- Chain of approximately 60 grocery stores in Massachusetts and New Hampshire Cash Carriers Fred C. ChurchInsurance (est. 1865) Stuart's Department Stores MoJo - Moms and Jobs, Inc.- MoJo is a socially responsible apparel manufacturer based out of Lowell, Ma with a mission to help single mothers and their children break the cycle of poverty by providing skills training, competitive wages, and a number of strategic benefits including free daycare, 401k, and other financial planning assistance. Hospitals Lowell General Hospital Saints Medical Center Libraries • Pollard Memorial LibraryThe first Lowell public library was established in 1844 with 3,500 volumes, and was set up in the rooms of the Old City Hall. About 30 years later the expanding collection was relocated across the street to the Masonic Temple In 1890-91, the City of Lowell hired local Architect Frederick W. Stickney to design the new Lowell City Library, known as 'Memorial Hall, in honor of the cities men who lost their lives in the American Civil War. In 1981, the library was renamed the Pollard Memorial Library in memory of the late Mayor Samuel S. Pollard. And, in the mid 2000's the century old National Historic building underwent a major $8.5m renovation. The city also, recently expanded the library system to include the Senior Center Branch, located in the City of Lowell Senior Center.In fiscal year 2008, the city of Lowell spent 0.36% ($ 975,845) of its budget on its public libraries, which houses 236,000 volumes, and is a part of the Merrimack Valley Library Consortium. Currently, circulation of materials averages around 250,000 annually, with approximately 1/3 deriving from the children's collection.• Lydon LibraryThe Lydon Library is a part of the University of Massachusetts Lowell system, and is located on the North Campus. The building is named in honor of President Martin J. Lydon, who's vision expanded and renamed the college, during his tenure in the 1950's and 1960's. Its current collection concentrates on the sciences, engineering, business management, social sciences, humanities, and health.• O'Leary LibraryThe O'Leary Library is a part of the University of Massachusetts Lowell system, and is located on the South Campus. The building is named in honor of former History Professor and then President O'Leary, who's vision helped merge the Lowell colleges, during his tenure in the 1970's and 1980's. Its current collection concentrates on music and art.• Center for Lowell HistoryThe Center for Lowell History is a part of the University of Massachusetts Lowell system, and is located downtown Lowell. Its current collection concentrates on the history of Lowell, the Boston & Maine Railroad, and the history of the University of Massachusetts Lowell. High schools Lowell High School, est. 1831 (4,000+ Students, second largest in the state) Lowell Catholic High School, est. 1989 (369 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:10 (Private) Greater Lowell Technical High School, (2100 Students) Serving the communities of Lowell, Dracut, Tyngsborough and Dunstable. Lowell Middlesex Academy Charter School, est.1996 (120 Students) serving the communities of Greater Lowell. Grades 5-8 Benjamin F. Butler Middle School, est. 1992 (500 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio N/A Dr. An Wang Middle School, est. 1993 (620 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:29 H.J. Robinson Middle School, est. 1969 (660 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:25 James S. Daley Middle School, est. 1956 (600 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:24 Kathryn P. Stoklosa Middle School, est. 2005 (485 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:25 James F. Sullivan Middle School of Communications, est. 1992 (586 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:30 Edith Nourse Rogers Middle School (Closed in 2009) Grades K-8 J. G. Pyne Arts Magnet (500 Students) Bartlett Community Partnership School (460 Students) est. 2005 Lowell Community Charter Public School est. 1999 Grades K-4 Abraham Lincoln Elementary School, est. 1993 (505 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:24 Charlotte M. Murkland Elementary School, est. 1993 (460 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:23 Greenhalge Elementary School, re-est. 1994 (450 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:20 Pawtucketville Memorial Elementary School, est. 1990 (493 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio N/A S. Christa McAuliffe Elementary School, est. 1993 (500 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio N/A John J. Shaughnessy Elementary School, est. 1991 (500 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:22 Washington Elementary School, (220 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:19 C.W. Morey Elementary School, (420 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:21 Dr. Gertrude M. Bailey Elementary School, est. 1992 (460 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:21 Joseph A. McAvinnue Elementary School, est. 1994 (489 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:24 Moody Elementary School, est. 1841 (187 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:28 Peter W. Reilly Elementary School, est. 1959 (530 Students) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:21 Private grade schools Hellenic American Academy, est. 1908 as the first Greek Orthodox day school in the United States (135 Students) (Grades K-6) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:12 Franco-American School, est. 1963 (Grades K-8) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:13 St. Louis School, (457 Students) (Grades K-8) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:19 Ste. Jeanne D'Arc School, (472 Students) (Grades K-8) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:17 St. Margaret School, (357 Students) (Grade K-8) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:20 St. Patrick School, (181 Students) (Grade K-8) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:15 St. Michael Elementary School, (407 Students) (Grade K-8) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:16 Immaculate Conception School, (324 Students) (Grade K-8) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:17 St. Stanislaus School, est. 1906 (124 Students) (Grade K-8) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:12 Community Christian Academy, (185 Students) (Grade K-12) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:9 Riverside School, Nonsectarian, Special Education School (25 Students) (Grades 4-11) Teacher/Student Ratio 1:5 Higher education University of Massachusetts Lowell Middlesex Community College Crime The city of Lowell is primarily policed and protected by the Lowell Police Department, secondarily by the Massachusetts State Police and the UMass Police.Since 1990, Lowell has averaged about 5 homicides per year with the highest being 13 homicides in 2006. As of 2008, the crime index rating was 446.8. The national average was 320.9. Lowell has been locally notorious over the years for being a place of high drug trafficking and gang activity. The Lowell Police Department has made positive progress in bringing the crime rates down in recent years. In the years from 1994 to 1999, crime dropped 50 percent, the highest rate of decrease for any city in America with over 100,000 residents. In 2009, Lowell was ranked as the 139th most dangerous city of over 75,000 residents in the United States, out of 393 communities. Out of Massachusetts cities, nine are larger than 75,000 residents, and Lowell was fifth most dangerous or safest. For comparison Lowell is rated safer than Boston (104 of 393), Providence RI (123), Springfield (51), Lynn (120), Fall River (103), and New Bedford (85), but rated more dangerous than Cambridge (303) , Newton (388), Quincy (312), and Worcester (175). Music The city is the subject of Death Cab for Cutie's song, 'Lowell, MA,' from their album We Have the Facts and We're Voting YesThe city was also featured in the song 'Lowell Man' by Tom Doyle. Doyle, of WROR-FM 105.7 in Boston, does many songs like this spoofing classic rock by rewording them to make fun of various things about New England (Lowell Man is a spoof of Soul Man by Sam & Dave).The Dropkick Murphys' Warrior's Code tells story of Lowell Boxer Micky Ward, mentioning Lowell and several city facts in the song.James Taylor's song Millworker is about a woman living in Lowell. Novels Lowell has also been the subject of a number of novels. Some of the better known ones are:Jack Kerouac, who was born in Lowell, set several biographical novels there, includingVisions of GerardandDoctor Sax. Katherine Paterson's novelLyddietells the fictional story of aLowell Mill Girlin the 19th century who fights for better working conditions in the hot, crowded and dangerous mills. InAvi'sBeyond the Western Sea: Lord Kirkle's Money, Lowell is the destination of immigrants hoping to reach America and begin new lives. Nancy Zaroulis'Call The Darkness Light, a novel about a young woman left alone in the world following the death of her father, tells the story of the mid-19th centuryLowell Mill Girlsand the realities of thetextile industry. David Daniel's series of Alex Rasmussen novels follows the Lowell based private eye's adventures in books includingThe Marble Kite,andGoofy Foot. Lloyd L. Corricelli's Ronan Marino Mystery Series which includesTwo Redheads & A Dead Blonde, which follows the Iraqi war veteran and private investigator's quest to find his girlfriend's murderer andChasing Curveswhere Ronan tries to clear a UMass-Lowell baseball star accused of murdering his prospective agent's secretary. Films School Ties- 1992: ARobert Mandel’s film starringBrendan Fraser,Matt Damon,Chris O’Donnell,Randall Batinkoff, &Andrew Lowery. Some of the opening scenes were filmed inLowell. High on Crack Street- 1995: An HBO film documenting the lives of three crack cocaine addicts. Monkey Dance- 2004: Documentary film byJulie Mallozzion the lives of three Cambodian-American teenage adolescents in Lowell and how they were affected positively by traditional Cambodian dance, especially with Lowell's Angkor Dance Troupe. The Invention of Lying- 2009: A film by director/writer/starRicky Gervaiswas filmed principally in Lowell. The film also starsJennifer Garner,Rob Lowe, andTina Fey. The Fighter- A new film by directorDavid O. RussellstarringMark Wahlbergbased upon the life of IrishMickey Ward. Shooting began July 2009 and was completed in September of that year in Lowell, Massachusetts. Honors 1997 and 1998, Lowell was a finalist for theAll-American Cityaward. 1999, Lowell received an All-American City award. Notable residents See List of People from Lowell, Massachusetts