October 1, 2026 |City of Lynn, City Services, Downtown Lynn Health and Safety (DLHS) Task Force, Lynn Police Department, News, Public Safety

Mayor Jared C. Nicholson Issues an Emergency Executive Order Creating the Downtown Lynn Health and Safety Task Force

Share

• F
• T
• L

From the Office of Mayor Jared Nicholson: Citing increasing homelessness, substance use disorder and mental health crises that are escalating risks to public health and safety, Mayor Jared C. Nicholson today issued an emergency executive order creating a task force to address those issues.

Police Chief Chris Kelly and Chief of Health and Human Services Lisa Tobin, will assemble and co-chair a Downtown Lynn Health and Safety (DLHS) Task Force, which will be charged with formulating a plan for addressing the crisis. The task force will have 90 days to come up with recommendations for better collaboration with treatment programs, healthcare providers, relevant state agencies, landlords, businesses, residents, surrounding communities and the criminal justice system. To ensure tangible next steps, the city will also solicit request for quotes from experienced vendors to facilitate the process and deliver a final report. 

The executive order notes the progress the city has made in adding housing units for the most vulnerable and reducing opioid overdose deaths from 70 in 2017 to four in 2026 so far. That notwithstanding, there is an acknowledgement that serious problems remain.

“We need this task force to let us know what else we can be doing to address this critical issue and come up with a realistic long-term plan. We have made meaningful progress in adding housing, better integrating behavioral health with our public safety work and enhancing downtown enforcement operations, but clearly there is still a significant problem. When we recognize that, we can’t stand by. It is time to act more vigorously and with different strategies.”

Mayor Jared C. Nicholson

According to the Lynn Police Department, in the one-year period from August 20, 2025, to August 20, 2026, they received 9,441 calls for the downtown. That resulted in 463 arrests and 812 charges for crimes relating to drugs, assault, larceny, breaking and entering, disorderly conduct, trespassing and warrants.

Based on the numbers from January 1 through August 20 of this year, the LPD is on pace to receive at least the same number of calls to the downtown in 2026 and make more arrests with more charges.

“Our approach to the downtown area is straightforward: We will enforce the law when enforcement is necessary, but we also recognize that enforcement alone does not solve every problem,” Kelly said, noting that the LPD has utilized its Behavioral Health Unit to connect people with the services they need. “We are working closely with our city partners to address quality-of-life concerns and provide resources for individuals experiencing homelessness, mental-health challenges, and addiction. We believe in accountability and enforcement, but we also believe in compassion. Our goal is to make downtown safer and healthier for everyone who lives, works, and visits here.”

There are four housing projects either complete or under construction that will add 162 units for individuals experiencing homelessness while providing case management and wraparound services. The Lynn Shelter Association has worked with the Public Health department to open an expanded day program that offers access to treatment, outdoor space, medical room, restrooms and enhanced collaboration among service providers.

“Ensuring that all residents who live in our community can live with the expectation of being able to be healthy, have access to the resources they need, to be heard and have their concerns addressed is what will drive this work,” said Lisa Tobin, Director of Health & Human Services. “The creation and prioritization of this task force shows the mayor’s willingness to provide our residents with the quality of the life they deserve and we all believe in. We aim to be collaborative and creative in addressing a variety of distinct needs and look forward to working with our community partners.”

The city has undertaken public-safety measures including community cameras in the downtown, enhancing downtown enforcement operations, increasing bicycle patrols, the return of the motorcycle unit, recommendations to property owners to improve security, and increased coordination with MBTA transit police.

The city has cleared encampments on private parcels on the Lynnway and an MBTA-owned parcel behind 195 Market St., but similar hutments have sprung up in other areas. The city has received a marked increase in complaints from residents, businesses and employees about downtown quality of life, citing property damage, discarded needles and physical violence.

“The mayor has determined that immediate public action is needed to prevent, minimize or mitigate damage to the public health, safety, or general welfare of the people of Lynn or their property,” according to the executive order.

The DLHS Task Force will be encouraged to solicit funding from the City’s Opioid Working Group. The task force will make a presentation to the city council and host a town hall for local businesses and residents to provide input.

The executive order will remain in effect until further notice.

“This week, some of my fellow elected officials and I walked downtown to hear directly from residents and businesses and see firsthand the public health and safety concerns affecting our community,” said City Council President Coco Alinsug. “We must ensure downtown is a safe, clean and welcoming place for all, while treating people experiencing homelessness, substance use and mental-health challenges with dignity and compassion. I’m grateful to our city workers, Lynn Police Department, the mayor, city council and community organizations working on these issues every day. The Downtown Lynn Health and Safety Task Force will bring the right partners together, establish clear goals and deliver for the community.”

read the Executive Order