PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The ninth annual Cop on Top event raised $45,000 for the Special Olympics.

 

For two days local law enforcement officers camped out at the roof of Walmart in Berkshire Crossing while in the parking lot there were a number of raffles, sales, and giveaways to help raise money.

 

The officers fell quite a bit short of their goal of $55,000 but, nonetheless, are calling it a success.

 

"We didn't do quite as well as years past but I think the weather played a part," said Investigator John Bassi. 

 

The event is put on by the Berkshire County Law Enforcement Torch Run program. The money goes to support some 600 local athletes in the games. Last year the local event raised the most it ever had before with $58,000. But a rainy and chilly Sunday kept the organization from approaching that this year. Bassi said donations were trending on target Saturday but Sundays were low.

 

"It is definitely a respectable number [of dollars raised]," Bassi said. "It still boggles my mind every year."

 

Similar events are held elsewhere but in Massachusetts, the Berkshire one has routinely been the largest. And it continues to be.

 

"Nobody will surpass us," Bassi said, though he added Chicopee could come close. 

 

Officers were on the rooftop for a total of 32 hours, starting right after the 9 a.m. opening ceremonies on Saturday and ending at 5 p.m. Sunday. The event is held annually early in December when Christmas shopping tends to be a peak. Bassi said this year 75 volunteers, members of law enforcement, and athletes were involved.

 

A half dozen officers spent the rainy night on the roof. Bassi said the tent he stayed in leaked, making for a miserable night sleep.

 

"The weather was not our friend," Bassi said.

 

Cop on Top is the longest standing program of the local Law Enforcement Torch Run organization. Despite the difficult year, Bassi said he is still really happy with the outcome.