PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Retired police captain Michael Grady says his 28 years of service on the Pittsfield Police Department have prepared him to bring common-sense solutions and renewed accountability to City Hall. Now running for Ward 5 City Councilor, Grady appeared on WTBR’s Morning Drive with Bill Sturgeon to discuss his platform and concerns about the city’s direction.
Grady, a lifelong Pittsfield resident, said the tipping point came during a walk downtown with his wife earlier this year. “Once you hit West Street, it’s bottles, cigarette butts, syringes,” he recalled. “You couldn’t walk a long stretch without someone asking you for money or a cigarette… North Street is supposed to be our pride and joy. And it is far from that right now.”
He said the deterioration of downtown inspired him to run, adding that he hears similar concerns from Ward 5 residents about traffic safety, e-bikes, and city responsiveness. “If someone’s got a problem, you need to get back to them,” Grady said. “Follow-up is crucial. It’s as simple as picking up the phone or sending an email.”
Grady stressed that his approach to governance would be grounded in responsiveness and realism. “I think some councilors are out of touch,” he said. “I heard one say, ‘A million here or two million there,’ like it was monopoly money.” He also discussed this approach with regard to downtown restroom and sanitation station proposals. “All you have to do is go down there and take a look and see what’s going on,” he said. “It’s not rocket science.”
Grady’s platform also prioritizes financial relief for residents. “The number one thing I’m hearing is property taxes and water and sewer rates,” he said. “People are trying to figure out how they’re going to heat their homes this winter.”
Though he’s running to represent Ward 5, Grady emphasized that issues like downtown safety affect the entire city. He called for revitalizing walking police patrols, saying, “We figured out ways to get people up on North Street in the past. It wasn’t that hard.”
Grady also said the city should reexamine civil service requirements to attract more qualified police officers and speed up hiring. “We’re begging for transfers at this point,” he said. “Staffing is going to get worse.”
He added that his bid for council was a deeply personal decision, motivated in part by his 22-year-old son’s recent choice to return to Pittsfield after college. “I want him to come back to something,” Grady said.
A former union leader within the police department, Grady said he’s prepared to dedicate “as many hours as needed” to the role and would gladly serve on committees. “I’m not halfway on anything. If I’m in, I’m all in,” he said.
Ultimately, Grady called on voters to take local elections seriously. “If you don’t vote, you can’t complain,” he said. “Turnout matters. Change starts with showing up.”
Editor’s Note: This article is based on the October 8, 2025 broadcast of WTBR’s “Morning Drive” and was written in part using ChatGPT. To view the entire program, visit https://pittsfieldtv.org/program/?id=54073. WTBR’s “Morning Drive” airs weekdays at 7:30 a.m. on 89.7 FM in Pittsfield and 88.1 in Lee; and is simulcast on Access Pittsfield channel 1301. The full interview is available to view through PCTV Select.
