Berkshire Harm Reduction Sets Open House at New Site

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Harm Reduction will hold an open house to show off its new Pittsfield location and to provide the public with an opportunity to learn more about its work addressing a critical community need. 
 
The open house will be held on Thursday, Aug. 1, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 42 Summer St., second floor.
 
The new location has expanded space for the many services Berkshire Harm Reduction provides, including HIV health and prevention, syringe services, overdose education and prevention and Hepatitis C, HIV and STI testing and hepatitis C treatment. At the open house, Harm Reduction staff will provide information on those services, as well as Narcan training and tours of the Harm Reduction mobile unit that traverses the county to care for clients unable to visit one of its two physical locations, in Pittsfield and North Adams.
 
"Harm Reduction addresses a major community need and our staff is excited to invite the public in to see the new space and learn how to be ambassadors for public health, Narcan administration and reducing incidence of overdose in the Berkshires," said Sarah DeJesus, program manager.
 
Light refreshments will be provided at the open house and visitors can talk with Harm Reduction staff about the work they do in the community. For more information, call 413-447-2654.

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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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