Pittsfield Police Advisory To Examine Vehicle Search Procedures

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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The Police Advisory Commission met on Monday night.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Police Advisory Commission received its first missive from the City Council — to review a citizens petition regarding vehicle search and seizure procedures.
 
Lemarr Talley, now of Springfield, has filed a petition with the City Council saying the procedures are not in compliance with state law. Talley had previously been arrested during a motor vehicle stop in Pittsfield.
 
The City Council last week passed the petition and the massive amount of accompanying paperwork to the Police Advisory Committee, which will now sort out the details.
 
However, Chief Michael Wynn says the the city's procedures are OK under the law.
 
"Even if you were to take action on this and put it on the ballot, like he is asking, it wouldn't be legally binding," Wynn told the Police Advisory Commission on Monday. "That position is erroneous."
 
Wynn said the department's inventory procedures are adopted from those outlined by the nonprofit Municipal Police Institute, an organization that trains officers. The state does not require specific procedures, Wynn said.
 
In other business, the PAC adopted a "press protocol." This summer, there was confusion over a news story about the downtown ambassador program. That confusion led to the committee thinking there should be a procedure in place.
 
"You can say whatever it is you want to say. But, you say it as a member and not a representative of the committee," said Chairman Alan Righi about the new policy.
 
Essentially, the committee members can express opinions to reporters. But, it is their job to specify that they do not represent the committee as a whole. The opinion of the entire committee can only be expressed after a vote.
 
The group discussed having only the chairman speak for the group but decided that was too restrictive and caused problems if the chairman is unavailable.
 
The group added that if someone does speak to the media, that member, or members, should inform the chief and the mayor's office as a courtesy. The committee is appointed by and serves as an advisory group for the mayor.
 
Also on Monday, Committee member Donald Bercury said Carr Hardware is donating more fencing so the city can finish the temporary barrier on East Street eyed to reduce jaywalking.
 
Wynn also reported that the department is hiring four or five people for the academy in February.
 
"If this class goes as it looks like it is shaking out it will be the first time we've sent two women to the academy at the same time," Wynn said.

Tags: citizens petition,   police advisory,   search,   traffic stop,   

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Crosby/Conte Statement of Interest Gets OK From Council

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

Architect Carl Franceschi and Superintendent Joseph Curtis address the City Council on Tuesday.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — With the approval of all necessary bodies, the school district will submit a statement of interest for a combined build on the site of Crosby Elementary School.

The City Council on Tuesday unanimously gave Superintendent Joseph Curtis the green light for the SOI to the Massachusetts School Building Authority by April 12.

"The statement I would make is we should have learned by our mistakes in the past," Mayor Peter Marchetti said.

"Twenty years ago, we could have built a wastewater treatment plant a lot cheaper than we could a couple of years ago and we can wait 10 years and get in line to build a new school or we can start now and, hopefully, when we get into that process and be able to do it cheaper then we can do a decade from now."

The proposal rebuilds Conte Community School and Crosby on the West Street site with shared facilities, as both have outdated campuses, insufficient layouts, and need significant repair. A rough timeline shows a feasibility study in 2026 with design and construction ranging from 2027 to 2028.

Following the SOI, the next step would be a feasibility study to determine the specific needs and parameters of the project, costing about $1.5 million and partially covered by the state. There is a potential for 80 percent reimbursement through the MSBA, who will decide on the project by the end of the year.

Earlier this month, city officials took a tour of both schools — some were shocked at the conditions students are learning in.

Silvio O. Conte Community School, built in 1974, is a 69,500 square foot open-concept facility that was popular in the 1960s and 1970s but the quad classroom layout poses educational and security risks.  John C. Crosby Elementary School, built in 1962, is about 69,800 square feet and was built as a junior high school so several aspects had to be adapted for elementary use.

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