Mayor Kendrys Vasquez alongside Chief of Police Vasque call on all unlawful gatherings to stop immediately. In the third unlawful gathering found by Lawrence Police over the weekend, Mayor Vasquez stresses the imminent danger these gatherings pose to the Lawrence community. “COVID-19 cases continue to increase in the city of Lawrence, I am calling everyone gathering and breaking the COVID-19 regulations to stop. The illegal gatherings inevitably will affect the lives of as many essential workers in the Lawrence community who have not had the privilege to stop working during this pandemic. I am calling on all the residents of our community to stop these gatherings, now.”  The three units were found on 55-57 Springfield Street, 68 Common, and 430 Essex Street. The director of ISD Michael Armano says “Large gatherings are not only dangerous as we fight to stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus, but these gatherings can be deadly in spaces that do not have life safety systems in place to protect the dozens of people stuffed into a small space. With support of the administration, the efforts of the Inspectional Services Department, Fire Department, and Police Department sends a clear message that the City is not going to tolerate this type of irresponsible behavior.  These matters will be fully investigated and code violations will be prosecuted to the furthest extent of the law”.  

Chief Vasque and the Lawrence Police will work to diligently shut the illegal clubs down. In a quote addressing the illegal activity Chief Vasque states “Aside from the fact that this activity is illegal in so many ways, with hookah and alcohol, it’s also dangerous and irresponsible. We are right in the middle of a surge in COVID cases and Lawrence has one of the highest infections rates in the Commonwealth. This type of behavior has been shown to be a super spreader and not only effects the participants but puts their families, friends and others in the community at high risk. We are not going to get this pandemic under control until people become more responsible. It is our hope that this serves as a warning not only for the fines that will be given out but for the possible spread of the virus it may”. As of Sunday 1/24 there have been 211 number of COVID related deaths and 16,458 total cases.

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