Pittsfield Police Advisory Still Pushing For Fence On East Street Median
 Police Chief Michael Wynn updates the Police Advisory Committee on police station plans and a multi-state drug operations investigation. |
Police Advisory Committee member Donald Bercury has been heading the issue to alleviate problems of Pittsfield High School students who don't use the crosswalks outside the school during lunch and before and after school.
The use of a fence in the median was the first solution to come out of a meeting between the PAC, city officials, and school officials and this past winter, a snow fence was installed to gauge the effectiveness of it.
"We found out weather and temporary fencing doesn't work," Bercury joked of the temporary fence that was destroyed fairly quickly by the weather and plows.
Bercury also added that school administrators and students have been doing a better job at using the crosswalks instead of just darting out where ever.
Nonetheless, the test was deemed successful and now Bercury is hoping to find a cost-effective permanent fence. He said the first quote of a fence from First Street to Fourth Street was $40,000, which was too high.
"It is a nice fence but I think we can do better," he said.
Also regarding jaywalking, the Police Advisory Committee is waiting for state laws to be altered to give the city the right to change fines. Currently, the city can fine jaywalkers a dollar but does not have the ability to raise it. State Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier has filed a bill to give that right to cities and towns.
"Tricia Farley-Bouvier has introduced state law and that is now in committee," Police Chief Michael Wynn said.
In other business, the committee is says the ambassador program it helped coordinate into reality is set to return this summer with some minor tweaks. The program was piloted last year and it put students from Berkshire Community College onto North Street to help direct tourist and keep an eye out for crime. This year, it will return but not as a credited course.
"The for-credit academic side stepped away from it," Wynn said.
BCC's workforce development department is now taking it over and Downtown Pittsfield Inc. has gifted the city $2,500 for stipends. The college will recruit students to participate as a career experience program.
The ambassador program came about after downtown merchants petitioned the city to hire officers to patrol the downtown area. For a while, Mayor Daniel Bianchi approved using overtime for foot patrols but that has now ended. The ambassador program gets more eyes on the street without requiring more police to be hired.
Wynn also reported that investigators are at the end of nearly a six-month drug investigation that spans three states and multiple cities. The case has been leading to a "very busy" few months as arrests are being made. The investigation has included multiple jurisdictions and law enforcement agencies, Wynn said.
"It is a pretty big case that originated from our affidavits," he said.
The department also receive the full feasibility study from Kaestle Boos Architects, which was charged with looking into a new police station. Wynn said the focus now is to put together a funding package.
"The next step is to start the salesmanship part," the chief said, adding that PCTV is scheduled to film the station to give residents a "virtual tour" of the limitations the current building has on operations.
Tags: Downtown Pittsfield, drug crimes, jaywalking, police advisory,
