Pittsfield Police Report Busy Labor Day Week

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Pittsfield Police say the week before Labor Day was busy for calls, including a person burning an American flag in Park Square and the rescue of a young bear. 

On Monday, the police shared that there were a total of 34 arrests between Aug. 25 and Aug. 30.  

"PPD is attempting to create more transparency and citizen engagement through social media," the department wrote on Facebook. 

"We are beginning a 'Weekly Summary' of notable events that officers respond to during said week." 

Arrests included assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, armed assault to murder, disorderly conduct, breaking and entering, car theft, drug possession, open and gross lewdness, and more. 

It wasn't all bad, as the animal control unit worked with Mass Wildlife to relocate a young female bear who got lost in the central part of the city. They shared pictures of the bear in a tree and the bear unconscious in a net on the ground, with close-ups of her paws and a mask over her eyes. 

"We had to relocate this young female this week. She was in the middle of Pittsfield, in a fenced business unable to find her way out," the department wrote on Facebook. 

"Due to the risk of possibly getting injured, it was decided relocation was the best option. She was tagged and relocated to a safer area. It was estimated that she was 2-2.5 years old." 

On Aug. 27, around 4:30 p.m., police responded to a report of a person burning an American flag and causing a disturbance in Park Square. 

"It should be noted that officers were notified of the same party burning an American flag the previous day, but the search came up negative. Officers arrived on scene and located the suspect. The officer observed an open flame and asked the suspect what they were doing," police wrote. 



"The suspect retrieved a second American flag and began swinging it near the officer's face, almost striking the officer. The suspect then ran from officers, and a foot pursuit was initiated due to the assault with the flag. Upon grabbing the suspect, they began to push and punch the officer." 

Police said a bystander assisted during the situation, and the person was arrested for assault and battery of a police officer, assault with a dangerous weapon, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. 

On Aug. 30, around 8 p.m., a male party was reported exposing himself in The Common park and causing a disturbance. Police said they located the suspect and determined he was under the influence of alcohol, adding he became "aggressive and extremely argumentative with officers."

The man was arrested for open and gross lewdness and disorderly conduct and released from custody on personal recognizance, but was arrested again the next day. 

"The same suspect was arrested on 08/31/25 at 1500 hours on North St for essentially the same behavior, however, more aggressive towards other citizens," police wrote. 

"Suspect arrested for Open and Gross Lewdness and was held on $1,000 dollars bail." 

On Aug. 26, around 6:30 p.m., police were called to Cheshire Road for a report of people sleeping in a car. It was determined that the car had been stolen from a nearby community and an arrest was made for motor vehicle larceny, receiving a stolen motor vehicle, and possession of a Class A drug. 

"Upon arrival, officers located the vehicle and notified dispatch. Dispatch notified officers that the vehicle was reported stolen out of Lenox," police wrote. 

"The vehicle was towed and an inventory of the contents of the vehicle was conducted. During the inventory, drugs and paraphernalia were located inside the vehicle." 


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Capeless Students Raise $5,619 for Charity

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Students at Capeless Elementary School celebrated the season of giving by giving back to organizations that they feel inspired them.

On Monday night, 28 fourth-grade students showed off the projects they did to raise funds for an organization of their choice. They had been given $5 each to start a small business by teachers Jeanna Newton and Lidia White.

Newton created the initiative a dozen years ago after her son did one while in fifth grade at Craneville Elementary School, with teacher Teresa Bills.

"And since it was so powerful to me, I asked her if I could steal the idea, and she said yes. And so the following year, I began, and I've been able to do it every year, except for those two years (during the pandemic)," she said. "And it started off as just sort of a feel-good project, but it has quickly tied into so many of the morals and values that we teach at school anyhow, especially our Portrait of a Graduate program."

Students used the venture capital to sell cookies, run raffles, make jewelry, and more. They chose to donate to charities and organizations like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Berkshire Humane Society and Toys for Tots.

"Teaching them that because they have so much and they're so blessed, recognizing that not everybody in the community has as much, maybe not even in the world," said Newton. "Some of our organizations were close to home. Others were bigger hospitals, and most of our organizations had to do with helping the sick or the elderly, soldiers, people in need."

Once they have finished and presented their projects, the students write an essay on what they did and how it makes them feel.

"So the essay was about the project, what they decided to do, how they raised more money," Newton said. "And now that the project is over, this week, we're writing about how they feel about themselves and we've heard everything from I feel good about myself to this has changed me."

Sandra Kisselbrock raised $470 for St. Jude's by selling homemade cookies.

"It made me feel amazing and happy to help children during the holiday season," she said.

Gavin Burke chose to donate to the Soldier On Food Pantry. He shoveled snow to earn money to buy the food.

"Because they helped. They used to fight for our country and used to help protect us from other countries invading our land and stuff," he said.

Desiree Brignoni-Lay chose to donate to Toys for Tots and bought toys with the $123 she raised.

Luke Tekin raised $225 for the Berkshire Humane Society by selling raffle tickets for a basket of instant hot chocolate and homemade ricotta cookies because he wanted to help the animals.

"Because animals over, like I'm pretty sure, over 1,000 animals are abandoned each year, he said. "So I really want that to go down and people to adopt them."

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