Pittsfield 4th of July Parade Parking and Traffic

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield and the Pittsfield Police Department announced that the following parking and traffic restrictions will be in place for the 4th of July Parade to be held on Thursday, July 4, 2024 at 10 A.M. 
 
The Parade route will run from South Street at East and West Housatonic Streets, north to Wahconah Street at Wahconah Park. Adjacent side streets will be utilized for staging and disembarking.
 
Restricted Parking signs will be placed on the entire parade route and throughout the staging area on Wednesday evening, July 3, 2024.
 
Restricted Parking will be enacted and enforced within the staging area and parade route on July 4, 2024 at 6 A.M. The staging area includes West Housatonic Street from Center Street to South Street, South Street, Wendell Avenue, Bartlett Avenue, Broad Street, Taconic Street, Pomeroy Avenue north of Broad Street, East Housatonic Street and the included area. The parade route includes South Street, Bank Row, Park Place, North Street, and Wahconah Street.
 
Non-parade vehicle access in and out of the staging area will be restricted at 7 A.M. Traffic detours will be put in place on South Street at Broad Street, West Housatonic Street at Henry Avenue, West Housatonic Street at Center, and South Street at Park Square at 7 A.M.
 
Vehicle access to the entire parade route will be restricted and shut down at 8 A.M. These restrictions will remain in place until 1 P.M. Travelers are asked to seek alternative routes during the posted times.
 
Parade attendees and residents may observe additional perimeter controls and support personnel compared to previous years. These practices are being employed in response to recent national and international incidents, not any specific local threat or concern.
 
The Pittsfield Police Department, Massachusetts State Police, Pittsfield Fire Department and members of the Emergency Medical Services will have a presence all along the parade route and staging area. The collective goal is to ensure the safety and welfare of all residents and guests at the parade.
 
Parade attendees are requested not to place chairs and other personal items along the parade route before 6 A.M. With the goal of ensuring the public safety and welfare in mind, we request that citizens limit what they bring to the parade with them. Items such as large wheeled coolers, backpacks, shopping bags or similar type large containers are discouraged. Suspicious containers or packages may be subject to search. Our goal is not to impinge upon the day’s festivities, but to ensure the safety and well-being of everyone attending.
 
Attendees are asked to plan to carry out all items that they carry in, as there will not be additional trash receptacles placed along the route.
 
All citizens are encouraged to report any suspicious activity or items immediately to the nearest public safety official or by calling the Pittsfield Police. Emergencies should be reported by calling 911, or for a non-emergency call 413-448-9700 and at the voice prompt press 0 for dispatch.
 
Non-emergent, anonymous tips can be communicated by texting PITTIP and your message to TIP411 (847411).
 
For additional information, contact the Pittsfield Police Department at 448-9700.

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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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