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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Dalton Police Facility Report Complete; Station Future Still Uncertain

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
DALTON, Mass. — The Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee's final report is complete but the future of the station remains uncertain. 
 
Several members of the committee attended the Select Board meeting last week, as co-Chair Craig Wilbur presented four options delineated in the presentation — build on town-owned land, build on private land, renovate or repurpose the existing buildings, and do nothing. The full report can be found here
 
According to the report, addressing the station's needs coincides with the town facing significant financial challenges, with rising fixed costs and declining state aid straining its budget. 
 
These financial pressures restrict the town's ability to fund major capital projects and a new police station has to compete with a backlog of deferred infrastructure needs like water, sewer, roads, and Americans with Disabilities Act compliance.
 
In June 2024, Police Chief Deanna Strout informed the board of the station's dire condition — including issues with plumbing, mold, ventilation, mice, water damage, heating, and damaged cells — prompting the board to take action on two fronts. 
 
The board set aside American Rescue Plan Act funds to address the immediately dire issues, including the ventilation, and established the Public Safety Facility Advisory Committee to navigate long-term options
 
Very early on it was determined that the current facility is not adequate enough to meet the needs of a 21st-century Police Facility. This determination was backed up following a space needs assessment by Jacunski Humes Architects LLC
 
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