Lenco Donates Ballistic Shields to Pittsfield Police

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Lenco Armored Vehicles has donated more than $16,600 in protective shields to the Police Department for use during an active shooter situation. 

The level 3 ballistic shields were accepted during Tuesday's City Council meeting.  

"We don't want an officer to hesitate at all," Police Lt. Marc Maddalena said. 

"So you're prepared, go in there, again, it gives you some confidence that you're going to be able to get through this successfully and survive it." 

The Buffalo Armory shields are made of steel and polyethylene and offer level 3 protection.

Councilor at Large Alisa Costa asked what the shields will be used for, "given the concern a lot of residents have about the growing militarization of the police." She specifically asked if they would be deployed on protesters. 

Maddalena said they are not for crowd control and are strictly for active shooter situations, but if a local riot happened and police took on live fire, they would be used. 

He explained that the Light family, who owns Lenco, approached the department asking how they could help. At the time, the department was going through active shooter training and recognized that there was a lack of quick-deployment protective equipment. 

Colombian Artist Celebrates Immigrant Stories in New Pittsfield Mural

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
06:49AM / Saturday, October 24, 2026

Artist Laura Barrios explains the  inspiration of the mural, of immigrants building new lives in the Berkshires.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The walls along the Intermodal Center's train platform are a little more colorful following the unveiling of Let It Shine's third mural at that location, transforming a space once surrounded by bare concrete into a vibrant display of public art.

 

The unveiling on Thursday, marks the close of Let It Shine's 2026 outdoor public art season and the third year of its emerging artist program, said Mill Town Foundation Program Director Andy Wrba. 

 

Let It Shine's Emerging Artists Mentorship program was established in 2024 to support aspiring artists in the community by providing guidance, hands-on experiences, and opportunities to create large-scale public art.

 

"This mural, along with all the murals, as part of this emerging artist program, and even more broadly, all the murals that you see downtown throughout Pittsfield shows that we care about the cultural scene and we care about the creative people that live and work in our city," Wrba said.

 

The new mural, painted by Colombian artist Laura Barrios, celebrates immigrants who have built lives and found a sense of home in Berkshire County.

 

Barrios has been working on the piece for the last two months alongside mentor artist, Jesse Tobin McCauley. 

 

"It's a homage to the immigrants who work and make a home in the Berkshires … this is a very personal experience too because I am an immigrant," Barrios said in her speech.