Mosquito Tests Positive for West Nile Virus In Pittsfield

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Massachusetts Department of Public Health confirmed a positive result of West Nile Virus (WNV) in the weekly samples of mosquitoes collected in the City of Pittsfield. One positive sample was taken from the site of Pittsfield Municipal Airport.
 
At the time of this release, there are no confirmed human cases of WNV but encourage residents to take the following actions:
  • When you are outdoors, wear long pants, a long-sleeved shirt and socks. This may be difficult to do when the weather is hot, but it will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin.
  • Use a mosquito repellent (follow manufacturer instructions).
  • Keep mosquitoes out of your house by repairing any holes in your screens and making sure they are tightly attached to all your doors and windows.
  • Remove areas of standing water around your home. Here are some suggestions:
    • Look around outside your house for containers and other things that might collect water and turn them over, regularly empty them, or dispose of them.
    • Clean clogged roof gutters: remove leaves and debris that may prevent drainage of rainwater.
    • Turn over plastic wading pools and wheelbarrows when not in use.
    • Change the water in birdbaths every few days; aerate ornamental ponds or stock them with fish.
    • Keep swimming pools clean and properly chlorinated; remove standing water from pool covers.
For more information, please contact the Pittsfield Health Department at (413) 499-9411 or contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH), Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at (617) 983-6800 or toll-free at (888) 658-2850, or visit the MDPH website: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/west-nile-virus-wnv

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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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