Pittsfield Call for Participants for Halloween Parade 2025

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield's Department of Community Development Recreation Program has announced its 79th annual Halloween Parade, which will be held on Friday, Oct. 24 at 7:00 p.m. on Tyler Street. 
 
Floats, marchers, bands and more are wanted as the Pittsfield Halloween Parade seeks participants.
 
This year's parade theme is "Haunted Hometown Spooktacular" and participants are encouraged to base their float designs, decorations, and/or costumes around iconic, past Halloween parades that have occurred in Pittsfield since the mid-1940s. Schools, local businesses, organizations and community/civic groups are encouraged to participate in this Pittsfield tradition.
 
Every 'unit' will need to review the Halloween Parade Application Packet and complete all applicable forms. The application packet is available through the Parks & Recreation page on the city's website under the Halloween tab (www.pittsfieldma.gov/590/Halloween). The deadline for completed forms is Friday, October 10.
 
There will be one float seminar held on Thursday, Sept. 25, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 203 of City Hall, 70 Allen Street, Pittsfield for those who are interested in or planning to have a float. If your organization or school would like to have a float in the parade, a representative must attend the seminar.
 
If you are a new participant in the parade, you are required to attend the new participant meeting which will be held on Monday, October 20, at 6:00 p.m. in Room 203 of City Hall.
 
For further information, interested groups may contact Jennifer VanBramer, Recreation & Special Events Coordinator, at 413-499-9371 or email jvanbramer@cityofpittsfield.org.

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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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