(Host) The two most powerful members of the Senate Judiciary Committee – Patrick Leahy and Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Spector – will be in Rutland on Monday to hear what state and local leaders have to say about the increase in drug related violent crime. V
PR’s Nina Keck has more.
(Keck) Rutland City Police Captain Scott Tucker says four violent incidents, including two deaths – highlight the recent surge in such crime in Rutland. But he says many federal and state law enforcement grants have been cut or have disappeared entirely. And he says what’s going on in Rutland is happening in many rural communities.
(Tucker) "We’re extremely happy to see Senator Leahy bringing this to Rutland, Vermont. He can bring this concern that yes, there’s this war on terrorism but there are a lot of things threatening our quality of life on the home front and we can’t ignore those things."
(Keck) Tucker says local schools, police and drug treatment programs have to work together to effectively fight the problem. Officials from all three areas will be on hand for Monday’s hearing.
For VPR news, I’m Nina Keck in Rutland.