A candidate for mayor of Pittsfield is calling on the city to place body cameras on all of its police officers. The topic is in the national conversation again after video taken on a cell phone recorded a South Carolina police officer fatally shooting a man who was running away.Craig Gaetani, a frequent local political critic, released an audio message saying he urged the city to provide body cameras for its police officers more than a year ago.
“It’s critically, critically important that the city council go into a special immediately, appropriate the funds for those cameras and get the policemen mounted,” Gaetani said. “Before we end up here with what other communities are facing.”
None of Pittsfield’s roughly 85 police officers are equipped with body worn cameras, according to Chief Michael Wynn. Wynn says the city has discussed the possibility of providing the cameras, but questions around retention and storage have been problematic. Gaetani is facing two-term Mayor Dan Bianchi and City Clerk Linda Tyer. Political newcomer Eric Bassett has also taken out nominating papers.
