CAPTAIN FOCUSES EFFORTS ON HEROIN

Vermont State Police Capt. James Baker said he has seen firsthand the
changes over the years in the illegal drug market in the state. As an
undercover trooper in the mid-1980s, Baker said he saw mostly marijuana and
cocaine. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, as supervisor of the state
police undercover unit, Baker said he came across a great deal crack
cocaine with a few pockets of heroin.

Now, as the new commander of three state police barracks in the
southwestern part of the state, Baker said heroin has jumped to the forefront.

"My observation in the 10 weeks I've been here is that the impact of heroin
is just incredible," he said recently. "We've got to get the message out
that if you come to Vermont and deal heroin, there are going to be
consequences."

Baker, 46, leads Troop C, which includes state police barracks in Rutland,
Middlebury and Shaftsbury. He oversees more than 90 full- and part-time
employees.

His appointment to troop commander follows a realignment of districts.
Vermont State Police Capt. Glenn Cutting used to oversee the Rutland
barracks. He now heads Troop D, which includes Rockingham, Brattleboro and
Bethel.

Baker said he has spent a great deal of time getting to know his troopers
and staff, and local police officers, constables and sheriffs.

Cooperation among state, federal and local law enforcement agencies, he
said, will be a key component in combating the heroin scourge in the region
that is filling up court dockets and treatment facilities.

"We need to focus in on where we can use our resources the best way we
can," Baker said. "Not that everybody doesn't do that already, but we've
got to become more efficient, share more information, especially as the
budget dollars get tighter and tighter."

Baker has an extensive law enforcement background in southern Vermont. He
graduated from the police academy in 1978 and was stationed at the state
police Shaftsbury barracks until 1981.

He went on to work as an investigator for the Bennington State's Attorney's
office and at the special investigative units of the state police. He
became head of the drug task force in 1989.

He ran that unit until early 1995, when he was named station commander at
the state police Brattleboro barracks. Most recently, he worked at state
police headquarters in Waterbury as the assistant field force commander.

"I've spent a lot of time in drug units, I've spent a lot of time on the
road," he said. "I also got to really understand the budgetary process when
I was in headquarters. I think all those skills will be valuable in this post."

It is Baker's experience fighting drugs that Rutland City Police Anthony
Bossi said he is hoping to tap.

"He's going to help with the drug problem in Rutland County," Bossi said.
"He's going to be a great resource to us in Rutland County because of his
prior experience on the drug task force."

Fighting crimes such as passing bad checks, shoplifting and underage
drinking can play a major role in addressing the use of heroin in the
region, Baker said.

"The struggle for us is that some people say we shouldn't be following that
stuff," Baker said. "The fact of the matter is, a lot of times that kind of
crime gives us a lot information about what's going on with the heroin scene."

Addicts desperate for money often turn to retail theft and writing bad
checks to get money for heroin, he said.

Most of the heroin comes into the region from outside the state, Baker
said, noting that Hudson, N.Y., and western Massachusetts are two of the
main sources.

"It's like any business, they see a market here," Baker said of the heroin
dealers. "I see our job as drying up these sources."

Word spreads quickly when law enforcement is aggressive in making arrests
and lengthy prison sentences are imposed to those caught selling the drug,
he said.

Also, he said, breaking up underage drinking parties and tough enforcement
against drunken driving need to be a priority.

"Kids don't go to a heroin party and find alcohol," Baker said. "They go to
an underage drinking party and find heroin, then they're hooked."