Examples of ways Great Barrington demonstrates Community Policing and Crime Reduction
- The GBPD has policies addressing discrimination and impartial policing.
- Officers are encouraged to visit with the public during their shifts by stopping into schools, businesses, neighborhoods, parks and more to get to know the community.
- The GBPD participates in programs like Special Olympics events, Truck Day, Kops & Kids, Community Police Academy and more to be visible and connected with the community to help reduce crime and the fear of crime.
- Officers are encouraged to issue verbal and written warnings for some traffic violations instead of issuing a citation.
- The GBPD added an additional patrol sector in an effort to increase community engagement.
- The GBPD participates in regional response trainings.
- The GBPD utilizes emailand a telephone ‘tip’ line to allow community members to report issues to the Police Department.
- A member of the GBPD participates in the Berkshire Health Coalition which focusses on health of youth.
- The GBPD participates in TRIAD at the local senior center.
- The GBPD has participated in a neighborhood meeting in order to address concerns and elicit information about recent crime in the area.
- THE GBPD offered a reward towards solving a hate crime incident. We were also instrumental in getting additional lighting in the area of such crime.
- Chief Walsh was an original member of the Southern Berkshire Youth Association (for 6 years); the fore-runner to RSYP.
- Chief Walsh, under former Town Manager Kevin O’Donnell, attended Multicultural Bridge meetings for approximately two years. A representative from this Lee based group was a member of the sergeant’s search committee in 2008 and members have attended our Citizen Police Academies and received great training. The town at one time gave Multicultural Bridge rent-free office space at the former Housatonic Grammar School. The Town and Chief Walsh have been instrumental in helping this Lee based organization in its beginnings in Great Barrington.
- We are the first in the County to have a Comfort Dog Program.