U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland, left, speaks at a law enforcement roundtable at the Rhode Island U.S. Attorney’s Office in downtown Providence on Oct. 2, 2024. To his right: Rhode Island U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha and Central Falls Police Chief Anthony Roberson. (Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current)
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland made his first official visit to Rhode Island Wednesday, where he touted state and federal efforts in lowering violent crime rates — along with what can be done to further reduce those numbers.
“We know that progress in many communities is still uneven and, of course, there’s no level of violent crime that is acceptable,” Garland said at the opening of a law enforcement roundtable at the Rhode Island U.S. Attorney’s Office in downtown Providence.
Garland spoke for just a little over seven minutes before reporters were rushed out so he could chat privately with local, state and federal law enforcement leaders. Garland did not take questions from the press.