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More Than 1,100 Complete Holiday 5K

iBerkshires.com SportsPrint Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Pittsfield’s Abigail Geurds was the fastest female finisher in the 4th of July 5K on Friday morning.
 
Geurds covered the 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) course in 17 minutes, 51 seconds to place 26th overall.
 
The race saw 1,141 competitors finish the out-and-back course from Wahconah Street south to the intersection of South Street and West Housatonic and back to Wahconah Park.
 
The top finisher overall was Steve Dowsett of Newburyport, who ran a time of 15:12 to finish three seconds ahead of runner-up Alex White of Dalton.
 
Finishers at the event ranged in age from Pittsfield’s Eamon Doyle, 7, who ran a time of 26:34, to Pittsfield’s Allan Bates, 76, who finished in 23:05.
 
The race was organized by the Berkshire Running Center and sponsored by Berkshire Health Systems.
 
Complete results are available here
 
Photos from this event here.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

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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