MONTPELIER, Vt. -
Bringing criminals to justice, local leaders show us just how important it is to work together. Wednesday an initiative was announced between several police agencies for their collaborative work in bringing criminals to justice in their area.
The news conference Wednesday night consisted of a number of law enforcement agencies to address a growing problem central Vermont.
"Drug trafficking is the number one driver in property crime in Montpelier," said Mayor of Montpelier, John Hollar.
In November of 2011, a shooting in Montpelier over a crack deal, had authorities, including US Attorney Tris Coffin concerned about a drug problem. 18 months ago, an initiative was announced to work together with different law agencies to bring criminals to justice.
"This was significant developments, an important case, with a firearm being shot within sight of the statehouse basically and it's something the public needed to know," said US Attorney Tris Coffin.
The two criminals are now in prison, one getting nine years and the other 11. A sentence the mayor of Barre feels is just.
"11 and nine years and I'm liking that, a lot," said Thom Lauzon, Mayor of Barre.
"That is important. To send a message to the community and frankly to protect this community and other communities from people who've been repeat offenders with drugs and firearms," said US Attorney Coffin.
While the initiative between the agencies helped to take down these two criminals, authorities say this is just beginning.
