In the spirit of reflection and self-examination, herein lies The Edge's second annual Great Barrington year in review. It includes some select stories from other South County towns as well, along with embedded links to Edge stories for more information.
Two parties had told police that Bartini's silver-blue Chevrolet Silverado pick-up truck "almost struck their vehicles from behind and swerved around their vehicles at a high rate of speed," according to a report prepared by Trooper Paul E. Savage, the arresting officer.
"These were significant arrests involving individuals who are known to police and who are active in drugs and are willing to steal from hard-working victims to finance their habits."
-- Great Barrington Police Chief William Walsh
Sheffield Officer Brennan Polidoro stopped off-duty Great Barrington Officer Daniel Bartini in the early hours of Saturday, August 20, after observing him driving erratically, but was instructed to let him seek a ride home in what appeared to be an act of “professional courtesy.”
“Massachusetts police departments have launched internal reviews at least four times in the last three years after learning that an officer or former officer was accused of drunken driving but was not arrested.”
--- 2014 Boston Globe article that reviewed instances of off-duty police officers charged with drunk driving.
Sheffield Police Officer Brennan Polidoro said Officer Daniel Bartini, who was off duty, was “emitting a strong odor” of alcohol, and had “bloodshot glassy eyes, and thick-tongued speech.” He was not cited.
