Human trafficking awareness expansion bill clears first Jax Council committee

On Monday, a bill designed to expand the city’s human trafficking awareness sign program moved through the first of its two Jacksonville City Council committee stops.

Councilman Tommy Hazouri attempts, with this bill (2017-450), to expand the reach of the human trafficking awareness signs that began to be posted in Jacksonville last year after a bill he carried.

2016-130-E required posting of such signs at massage parlors and adult entertainment establishments. The new legislation expands the program to hotels and motels.

Education for impacted businesses will be provided by the Neighborhoods Department.

Hazouri, in speaking to the panel, noted that the bill expands a “very effective” program, currently in “different massage parlors, transportation centers, and certain bars in town.”

And, said Hazouri, it’s necessary: Jacksonville is among the state leaders in human trafficking cases.

Erin Wilson, human trafficking specialist attorney from the 4th Circuit State Attorney Office, noted the complexity and nuance of human trafficking cases, and noted that hotels and motels near the airport and I-95 are a nexus of this “huge problem” in the city.

A representative of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office Integrity Unit noted the signs will be in the employee break room area, so that they are aware.

Tips via the tip hotline, such as those expected from this sign placement, are “invaluable.”

Right now, JSO is working 20 human trafficking cases — and the reports have “skyrocketed,” as people are now aware that it is an actionable crime.

“People are looking at it in a different light. These women are victims … People are starting to realize that this is a problem, and calling us on it.”

Councilman Aaron Bowman, in offering to co-sponsor the bill, suggested the local program could be a model for other jurisdictions. Chairman Sam Newby and Councilman Jim Love also signed on as co-sponsors.

In response to a question from Councilman Garrett Dennis, the JSO representative noted that a major pressure faced in enforcement is that many of those exploited come from countries where law enforcement itself cannot be trusted.

Expect this program to be expanded to restaurants in the future, though it didn’t make the current bill.