Conte Community School Crossing Guard Recognized

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BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation, through its Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Program, announced Soleil Hanger of Conte Community School in Pittsfield as one of the winners of the 2025 Safe Routes to School Crossing Guard Awards. 
 
Hanger, along with other winners, will be recognized at the annual Safe Routes to School Awards Ceremony, scheduled to be held on June 2, 2025.
 
This annual contest, which began in 2021, recognizes and highlights the important role crossing guards play in helping students and families safely travel to schools.
 
"Crossing guards are essential to the safety of students walking to and from school," said Transportation Secretary and CEO Monica Tibbits-Nutt. "Their dedication, vigilance, and kindness give families peace of mind and make them trusted pillars in our communities. Through the Safe Routes to School Crossing Guard Awards, we're proud to honor their vital contributions."
 
This year's crossing guard appreciation campaign began with nominations submitted from partnering school communities and included a dedicated Crossing Guard Appreciation Day which was held this past March. More than 450 nominations were submitted for 120 crossing guards who work in 43 communities.
 
Representatives from SRTS partner schools, including school faculty and staff, parents, and community members, completed an online nomination form, sharing stories of how their crossing guards go above and beyond to keep students safe and what makes them stand out. Nominations were evaluated by the Safe Routes to School team and MassDOT based on stories of safety and dedication to their job.
 
 
The Massachusetts SRTS Program, sponsored by MassDOT and with funds from the Federal Highway Administration, promotes safer routes for students to walk, bike, and roll to and from school by fostering partnerships between community-led organizations, local law enforcement, education leaders, and public health departments.
 
The program currently serves more than 1,200 schools in more than 280 communities across the Commonwealth. Through these partnerships, the Massachusetts SRTS Program highlights the importance of pedestrian and bicycle safety. SRTS also provides information, materials, and resources to support schools and communities with their local SRTS initiatives.

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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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