Pittsfield Launches New Emergency Notification System

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield has partnered with CivicPlus to implement a new Mass Notification software. By partnering with CivicPlus, the city will be able to issue urgent notifications, emergency instructions, warnings, and routine communications to subscribed residents via phone call, email, text message, and voicemail to keep people safe and informed.
 
In a local emergency, community members subscribed to this Mass Notification system will benefit from immediate, actionable information and instructions sent via their preferred notification channel. Residents can sign up for alerts in a variety of languages including but not limited to: English, Spanish, French, Portuguese.
 
"Communicating with residents is an essential function of local government, especially in times of emergency," said Mayor Peter Marchetti. "This new system will provide both emergency and non-emergency alerts to keep residents up to date with relevant information."
 
"These notifications are essential in our emergency planning efforts," said Pittsfield Fire Chief Thomas Sammons. "I encourage everyone to sign up for these notifications so they can stay up to date with information related to inclement weather, evacuation notices, road closures and more."
 
The CivicPlus Mass Notification software replaces CodeRED that was previously used for similar notifications. Any member of the public that wants to receive emergency and/or non-emergency communications and alerts will be required to sign up with Mass Notifications.
 
To sign up for Mass Notifications, residents should visit https://www.pittsfieldma.gov/alert-signup and the select the alerts they want to receive. An account will need to be created to receive alerts.
 
A CivicsPlus how-to sign up video is available directly in the portal that will answer most questions about the sign-up process. However, any resident that requires additional help can visit or call:
 
• Berkshire Athenaeum, 1 Wendell Avenue (413) 499-9480
• Ralph J. Froio Senior Center, 330 North Street (413) 499-9346
• City Hall: Main phone number (413) 449-5600, press option #7
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.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories