MCLA Police On Pace To Begin Carrying Firearms By January

By Andy McKeeveriBerkshires Staff
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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — MCLA campus police are months away from carrying firearms.

According to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Director of Public Safety Joseph Charon, seven officers are nearing completion of firearm training and will start patroling before the new year.

The college's Board of Trustees approved arming campus police last February and since then the department has created policies and procedures, put all officers through suitability screening and begun training with the state Municipal Police Training Council, according to Charon.

"We're taking a slow, deliberate, professional approach," Charon said on Friday, adding that the trustees said the implementation must be completed between August 2012 and January 2013.

After qualifying to carry the weapons Charon said his officers will train four times a year but until then the department has been looking to go "above and beyond" the minimal requirements to qualify.

The weapons have been purchased and are being used for the training. Since the officers are not yet qualified to carry them, the weapons are stored in a "safe and secure environment." Charon said the officers do not even have access to the weapons.


While Charon said he did not have a specific cost for the weapon purchases, he said it was in line with what was anticipated. In February, the school was estimating $12,521 for the equipment purchased, which made up about half of the total implementation cost of $24,635. After implementation the school will be paying $6,026 a year for training.

Arming campus police was controversial with the majority of students, faculty and neighbors against the decision. The argument against firearms was that they were unneeded because violent crimes are not on the rise, accidental discharge and the creation of unsafe and hostile feelings among the campus community.

Charon, backed by the city's Police Department, argued for the weapons because of the "duty to act." The officers are sworn to act if they see a crime committed anywhere and with the campus expanding more into the city, the officers are at more of a risk. But the officers will not be patroling in the city and will continue to only focus on campus property.

Additionally, proponents argued that violent crimes and school shootings are increasing nationally.

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Berkshire County Homes Celebrating Holiday Cheer

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

There's holiday cheer throughout the Berkshires this winter.

Many homeowners are showing their holiday spirit by decorating their houses. We asked for submissions so those in the community can check out these fanciful lights and decor when they're out.

We asked the homeowners questions on their decorations and why they like to light up their houses.

In Great Barrington, Matt Pevzner has decorated his house with many lights and even has a Facebook page dedicated to making sure others can see the holiday joy.

Located at 93 Brush Hill Road, there's more than 61,000 lights strewn across the yard decorating trees and reindeer and even a polar bear. 

The Pevzner family started decorating in September by testing their hundreds of boxes of lights. He builds all of his own decorations like the star 10-foot star that shines done from 80-feet up, 10 10-foot trees, nine 5-foot trees, and even the sleigh, and more that he also uses a lift to make sure are perfect each year.

"I always decorated but I went big during COVID. I felt that people needed something positive and to bring joy and happiness to everyone," he wrote. "I strive to bring as much joy and happiness as I can during the holidays. I love it when I get a message about how much people enjoy it. I've received cards thanking me how much they enjoyed it and made them smile. That means a lot."

Pevzner starts thinking about next year's display immediately after they take it down after New Year's. He gets his ideas by asking on his Facebook page for people's favorite decorations. The Pevzner family encourages you to take a drive and see their decorations, which are lighted every night from 5 to 10.

In North Adams, the Wilson family decorates their house with fun inflatables and even a big Santa waving to those who pass by.

The Wilsons start decorating before Thanksgiving and started decorating once their daughter was born and have grown their decorations each year as she has grown. They love to decorate as they used to drive around to look at decorations when they were younger and hope to spread the same joy.

"I have always loved driving around looking at Christmas lights and decorations. It's incredible what people can achieve these days with their displays," they wrote.

They are hoping their display carries on the tradition of the Arnold Family Christmas Lights Display that retired in 2022.

The Wilsons' invite you to come and look at their display at 432 Church St. that's lit from 4:30 to 10:30 every night, though if it's really windy, the inflatables might not be up as the weather will be too harsh.

In Pittsfield, Travis and Shannon Dozier decorated their house for the first time this Christmas as they recently purchased their home on Faucett Lane. The two started decorating in November, and hope to bring joy to the community.

"If we put a smile on one child's face driving by, then our mission was accomplished," they said. 

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