District Attorney's Office Elder Fraud Program

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — On Thursday, Oct. 3, the Berkshire District Attorney's Office will host a workshop focused on senior citizen fraud. 
 
The event includes the US Department of Justice; the United States Postal Inspection Service; the Department of the Treasury; the Federal Bureau of Investigations; and the US Attorney's Office. 
 
There is one session in North County from 10-11:30 at All Saints Episcopal Church at 59 Summer Street, North Adams, and a second presentation in Central/South County from 2-3:30 at the Lenox Town Hall, 6 Walker Street, Lenox. The is free and open to all senior citizens and community providers that serve senior citizens. There will be another presentation of this kind in the Spring.
 
To register, people can call the Berkshire District Attorney's Office, Kathye DeWitt-Allen 413-443-5951 Ext. 251. 
 
Senior fraud crimes are on the rise in Berkshire County. This program will help instruct our senior population on the most common frauds occurring right now as well as proactive measures they can take to stay safe.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Radon Reading Closes Pittsfield's West Housatonic Fire Station

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The fire station on West Housatonic Street has been temporarily closed after radon levels were found to be more than twice the normal amount.
 
Personnel at the station were relocated to the department's headquarters, located at 74 Columbus Ave., on Sunday out of an abundance of caution, said Catherine VanBramer, director of administrative services/public information officer. 
 
The West Housatonic Street station, built in 1951, has an officer and two firefighters on each shift. The station's apparatus has also moved to reserve bay at the Columbus Avenue headquarters. 
 
All of the city's fire stations and City Hall were tested. Once test results indicated concentrations above the recommended action level, the city promptly closed the station and began assessment and mitigation efforts. 
 
Initial tests found radon levels three to four times higher than normal, and further testing is planned in the coming days, she said. 
 
The department's headquarters is about 1.2 miles away from the West Housatonic Street station. 
 
"There are instances where PFD personnel are on a call in one part of the city and must respond to another call in a different part of the city.  The team continues to be ready to respond to any calls that are within their service area," VanBramer said. 
 
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