PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland met with officials from across local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies behind closed doors Wednesday. “Mr. Attorney General, the group that you see around the table here today is really reflective of the incredibly close and effective partnerships, federal, state, and local, that has characterized our law enforcement work here in Rhode Island,” U.S. Attorney Zachary Cunha said. Attendees included police chiefs from Providence, Cranston, Woonsocket, and Central Falls, as well as officials from the state police, the FBI, the IRS, Homeland Security, and more. Garland said the trip was to highlight “ongoing work to curb violence across the country.” “Three-and-a-half years ago the Justice Department launched an ambitious strategy to fight the sharp spike in violent crime that took place during the pandemic,” the attorney general said. “We focused our efforts on the most powerful tool we have – which is reflected right here our partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement.” Garland pointed to a recent FBI report on crime dropping around the country, as well as Rhode Island’s work on cases like the Shiloh Gospel Church arson, sentencing three men who had planned on attacking America’s power grid, and shutting down drug trafficking organizations. He also highlighted the justice department’s goals surrounding elections, highlighting work done in Pawtucket. “Just recently the latter included the department’s efforts to monitor compliance with federal voting rights laws in Pawtucket,” Garland said. “Last month, thanks to the work of this office and the civil rights division we announced that federal observers would be assigned to monitor the Sept. 10  primary in Pawtucket for compliance with the voting rights act.” Press were only allowed in the room during Garland’s opening remarks and were not allowed to ask the attorney general any questions. Categories: News, Rhode Island, US & World News