PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Residents of South Pittsfield received a wake up call this weekend when a 17-year-old man was shot on Bartlett Avenue. 

 

The incident was a little too close for comfort for an area that hasn't seen this type of violent crime. The city councilors representing two South Pittsfield wards have set a meeting on Thursday morning in hopes to bring residents together discuss safety.

 

"There has been a comfort about Ward 5 being a very safe neighborhood," Ward 5 Councilor Donna Todd Rivers said. "[The shooting] woke a lot of people up."

 

Rivers had already booked the Ralph Froio Senior Center for 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 5, for a monthly meeting with senior citizens. After the shooting, she heard a number of constituents wanted to air concerns about the incident. After talking with Ward 4 Councilor Christopher Connell, that meeting has now been expanded to welcome the entire city.

 

"What's lacking is consistent, continuous, grassroots neighbor to neighbor," Rivers said. "I'm hoping more people will get involved."

 

Rivers said she hopes to discuss options like organizing neighborhood watches or other solutions to help protect the neighborhood. Connell says he's hoping to provide security tips and really educate a section of the community which hasn't faced these issues before.

 

"It's been a little bit immune to the problems facing the rest of the city," Connell said. "For a lot of people this is their first go around with these type of things."

 

Connell says there are a number of things such as locking doors, installing security systems, improved lighting, and deadbolts that can protect someone's home. But, many people in Ward 4 never had to worry about the issue. Connell says criminals aren't restricted by ward lines and will go wherever. 

 

At this point, Connell says increased patrols would be far in the future, so it'll be up to the residents to do what they can to protect themselves.

 

"We're short staffed as it is," Connell said of additional patrols, adding that it takes a long time for officers to graduate through the academy and join the force.

 

Increased staffing in the Police Department is a goal of Mayor Linda Tyer. On Tuesday, she responded to incidents on Facebook calling it "unacceptable" and advocating to increase the size of the force.

 

"We are actively working on solutions to create a safer Pittsfield. Our city's law enforcement is a crucial component of this effort. We know and understand that having a robust police force is a must-have for a city of our size to accommodate the range of public safety needs. A few weeks ago, we sent 11 officers to the Police Academy, and we have requested a list for 12 more recruits," Tyer wrote. 

 

But she says it will take more than just pumping up the force. 

 

"We understand that combating violence such as this requires a comprehensive approach to finding solutions, as it stems from many factors. Solutions come in the form of youth mentoring initiatives and other targeted efforts to enrich the quality of life for all members of our community. I am proud to say the city is one of many community partners throughout Pittsfield working on a grant project called Working Cities, which aims to create a safe and thriving Pittsfield," Tyer wrote. 

 

"This work helps to strengthen the fabric of our communities through opportunity and collaboration, necessary elements to reduce the occurrences of violence and increase the possibilities for a better life."

 

Rivers said the mayor is not expected to attend because the meeting is coming at such short notice. However, she promised that she'd report to the mayor about the potential solutions after the meeting.

 

"This is not a forum. It is a moderated conversation. It is really to see what people want to do," Rivers said.

 

She said she is inviting other groups, including the Police Department and faith-based organizations, to send representatives. 

 

A similar meeting was held in the Morningside neighborhood in 2014 that was attended by hundreds of residents. From that meeting, a number of mentoring programs and youth outreach plans were laid. Much of that became integral in the Pittsfield Community Connection program that aimed to reduce youth violence.

 

That program was funded through the Charles E. Shannon Grant and in December gained a boost through the state's Safe and Successful Youth Initiative, which will provide funding for anti-violence programs for the next decade.

 

Rivers said she doesn't expect that type of turnout since this meeting is scheduled during the morning. But, she is still hoping the residents will come together to make the community safer.