Pubdate: Sat, 08 Mar 2008
Source: Rutland Herald (VT)
Copyright: 2008 Rutland Herald
Contact:  http://www.rutlandherald.com
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/892
Author: Brent Curtis

RANDOM DRUG CHECKS START

Law enforcement officers from three agencies in Rutland  County, 
along with aerial support from the Vermont  National Guard, conducted 
a roving war on drugs in the  city Friday afternoon.

Officers from Rutland police, Vermont State Police and  the Rutland 
County Sheriff's Department patrolled the  streets pulling over more 
than 100 motorists whose  vehicles were subjected to cursory searches 
for illegal  drugs.

Police were looking for any plainly evident signs of  drug 
trafficking within the vehicles.

The stops appeared to be taking place all over the  city, according 
to residents who noted the high volume  of police activity on the streets.

"We find motor vehicle violations and look for drugs  when the cars 
are pulled over," said city police Lt.  Kevin Geno.

About 20 officers were involved in the patrols along  with a Vermont 
National Guard helicopter, which hovered  over the city for much of 
the afternoon. Asked why the  helicopter was requested, Geno said it 
was a  precautionary measure "in case anybody runs."

None of the stopped cars had attempted to elude police  as of 8:30 
p.m. Friday, but two people had been  arrested during the stops and 
an unknown amount of  drugs were seized, Geno said.

The overtime operation, paid for by the three local  agencies, was 
the second show of interagency  cooperation this week in Rutland. On 
Tuesday, city  police, State Police and federal agents from the 
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives worked  together to 
arrest three people on drug selling and  weapon possession charges.

Geno said the patrols represent a weapon in the city's  battle 
against drugs and violence and will be used  again in the future.

At least one city official was happy to hear about the  police activity Friday.

"Well that's good and it's about time," said Alderwoman  Sharon 
Davis. "This is the no-tolerance attitude we've  been waiting for."
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom