Pittsfield's Homeless Advisory Committee hosting Housing Resource Fair

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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City of Pittsfield's Homeless Advisory Committee is sponsoring a Housing Resource Fair. 
 
The fair will be held at Berkshire Dream Center, 475 Tyler Street on Thursday, Oct. 9, between 10:00 a.m. to noon. The fair will offer a variety of resources and assistance to those in the community who are seeking help with accessing stable and secure housing.
 
The event is free and open to the public. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with representatives from local housing organizations and agencies, learn about affordable housing options, and receive information on resources for rental assistance. Participating agencies include ServiceNet, Upside 413 (formerly Berkshire County Regional Housing), Second Street Second Chances, Elder Services, The Christian Center, ADLIB, Hearthway (formerly Berkshire Housing), Solider On, Nonotuck and the Pittsfield Housing Authority.
 
"The purpose of the fair is to bring together community organizations and the residents they serve to create meaningful community connections and provide support for those in need," said Kim Borden, chairperson of the city's Homeless Advisory Committee. "We are building upon the success of previous housing resource fairs that are held on a quarterly basis at various locations throughout the city."
 
For more information about the event, please contact Justine Dodds at (413) 499-9368 or by email to jdodds@cityofpittsfield.org.
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Hinsdale OKs Police Department Audit After Fatal Shooting

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

HINSDALE, Mass. — The town has approved $25,000 for an administrative review of the police department, more than two months after police fatally shot 27-year-old Biagio Kauvil during a mental health crisis. 

Town Administrator Robert Graves said the shooting on Jan. 7 is not the only focus of the audit, and it will be several months before the Select Board receives a final report. 

During a special town meeting on March 11, an article appropriating $25,000 from free cash for an independent consultant to conduct a professional evaluation and audit of the Town's Police Department was approved. The audit includes a review of the department's policies, protocols, operations, and procedures, and concludes with a written report. 

"The Berkshire County District Attorney's Office and Massachusetts State Police are investigating the shooting, and we await their conclusions.  As we look to move forward, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, our insurance company (MIIA/Cabot Risk), and our legal counsel have recommended that the town hire an independent law enforcement consultant or firm to conduct a comprehensive administrative review of our police operation," Graves wrote in an email to iBerkshires on Friday. 

"This event is not their focus; they will assess the overall operation. We want a written assessment of our police operation's strengths and weaknesses to help Hinsdale make future changes and improvements." 

He said after completing the procurement process and signing a contract with a reputable consultant or business, it will most likely be several months before the Select Board receives the final report. 

"Still, it will help the town and police department move forward," Graves wrote. 

Last weekend, family and friends of Kauvil stood in Park Square asking for justice. A flier for the standout reads "Biagio was killed by police while experiencing a mental health crisis. Now, over seven weeks later, authorities have not yet provided any updates.

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