Shelburne Massachusetts Police Department

08/23/2026

08/05/2026

Update as of 10:15 pm Route 2 has been reopened

Updated

There was a car accident on Route 2 in Shelburne just west of the west entrance to South Cooper Lane. As a result of the accident a telephone pole snapped in half causing electrical, phone and internet wires to cross the road. As a result of the area of the crash and the resulting damage done, Route 2 is completely closed at this point. Rough estimates are the road to be reopened around midnight or even after. All vehicles wishing to get through will need to go through Colrain. West bound traffic should take Colrain Shelburne Road to Main Road in Colrain. Eastbound traffic should get off Route 2 at Mechanic Street and take Route 112 through Colrain. Residents and local traffic can take Skinner Road off of Colrain Shelburne Road to re access Route 2 to get to their homes.

07/10/2026

The Conway Police Chief, along with neighboring police chiefs, were proud to have taken part in the FBI-LEEDA Trilogy Series, a leadership training program designed to help law enforcement better serve their communities. In small towns, like Conway, strong relationships, communication, and trust matter. This training helped us to continue building those connections while growing as leaders. We were grateful for the opportunity to learn, improve, and serve the residents of the towns we serve to the best of our ability.

06/12/2026

Recently, the Northwestern District Anti-Crime Task Force (NDATF) received credible information that a 21-year-old Franklin County resident was unlawfully in possession of a handgun and engaging in reckless conduct. Further investigation and surveillance led investigators to a location in Charlemont on June 10th, where the suspect was observed. Physical and behavioral observations corroborated the prior information and suggested to investigators, based on their training and experience, that the suspect was actively armed.

Due to the overall circumstances present at the time, investigators attempted to detain the suspect for further investigation. As investigators approached, the suspect fled on foot and led them on a brief pursuit before being taken into custody. A loaded handgun equipped with an extended magazine was recovered.

The suspect was charged with Carrying a Loaded Fi***rm Without a License and related fi****ms offenses. In addition to NDATF personnel, troopers assigned to the Shelburne Falls Barracks and officers from the Shelburne Police Department assisted with the arrest.

05/31/2026

Today the Shelburne Police Department responded to a report of a bear in a yard eating birdseed that had been on the ground from the bird feeders. He is some great advice from our colleagues at Chicopee Police

🐻 BEAR SAFETY REMINDER 🐻

As the weather gets warmer, black bears are becoming more active throughout our neighborhoods and wooded areas. If you encounter a bear, remember:

• Keep your distance
• Do NOT approach, feed, or attempt to scare the bear
• Secure trash barrels, bird feeders, and pet food
• Keep pets on a leash and supervised outdoors

In most cases, bears will move along on their own if left alone. There is no need to contact the police simply because a bear is spotted in the area. Please only call if the bear is acting aggressively, appears injured, or poses an immediate threat to public safety.

Let’s help keep both our residents and wildlife safe by giving bears the space they need.

05/25/2026

Update! The parade in Shelburne Falls is Canceled! There will still be a ceremony at Arms Cemetery though

The Memorial Day Parade in Upper Buckland at 8am is canceled. As of now the Parade in Shelburne Falls at 10:00am is still on. We’ll update when we hear from organizers of the parade

05/06/2026

Shelburne Police extend our deepest thoughts, prayers, and condolences to the men and women of the Massachusetts State Police and to the family, friends, and loved ones of the Trooper who tragically lost his life in the line of duty.

04/02/2026

Public Announcement from the Shelburne Police Department

Update regarding fi****ms licensing (Effective April 2, 2026)

WHAT CHANGED
New fi****ms safety law is now in effect.

Old basic fi****ms safety (BFS) courses are no longer valid after 4/2/26. (This is a tad bit confusing for folks. To be clear: anyone who completed a BFS and received a certificate between August 1, 2024 and April 1, 2026 may apply for an LTC or FID using that same certificate even after April 2. Any classes taken after April 2 with certificate dates after April 2 using the old BFS will not be accepted.)

New training requirements include:
• Su***de prevention
• Use of force
• De-escalation

Live fire is required by law but NOT yet enforced.

BFS CERTIFICATE RULES

We will accept applications for BFS:
Completed before 4/2/26

Even if:
• Application submitted after 4/2/26
• Application still pending

We will reject BFS certificates issued after 4/2/26 that rely on old courses.

REQUIRED:
• All new applicants
• Anyone licensed after 8/1/24 but before 4/2/26
• Must complete the new training before renewal.

HUNTER SAFETY CHANGE
FID only (no longer valid for LTC)

MILITARY
No longer exempt from BFS

LIVE FIRE
Required by law
NOT currently enforced (pending regulations)

NEW CERTIFICATE PROCESS
• Instructors upload to MyMassGov
• Students download/print their own certs
• No more instructor-issued paperwork

As always, feel free to call with any questions or concerns.

Respectfully,

Greg Bardwell
Chief of Police

04/01/2026

01/24/2026

Well said Braintree Police Department

🚨URGENT WINTER ADVISORY: OPERATION BREAD & MILK 🚨

Alright, listen up everyone. The weather peeps are calling for upwards of 24 inches of snow, and we’ve already seen the frantic look in your eyes at the grocery store. You know the drill.

❄️ THE BREAD & MILK SITUATION
We aren’t sure why, but apparently, as soon as the first snowflake hits the ground, the entire town decides they need to make milk sandwiches.
If you haven't already cleared out the dairy aisle, please remember: you are being snowed in for a day or two, not launching a three-year mission to Mars.

🛑 ESSENTIAL vs. NON-ESSENTIAL TRAVEL
It's not worth driving in this to go get a bag of Takis. It's worth driving in this if you need to go to the hospital, or work somewhere that's required to keep society functioning. Tell a friend.
Unless you want to explain to an officer why you’re stuck in a ditchy ditch while clutching a bag of "Fuego" chips, STAY OFF THE ROADS.

🚙 "BUT I HAVE ALL-WHEEL DRIVE!"
Cool. That just means you’ll get stuck in the ditch 20 feet further than everyone else. Gravity and 2 feet of snow do not care about your trim package.

📋 THE PLAN:
✅ Stay home, watch the Pats crush the Broncos
✅ Eat the mountain of bread and milk you just bought.
✅ Wear your Drake Maye pajamas.
✅ Do not make us come find you because you had a "Takis Emergency."
‼️ Most importantly: Don’t Crime.

Stay safe, stay warm, and please—for the love of all things holy—stay home

GO PATS! 🥇🏈