MDOT, FBI Fight to Raise Human Trafficking Awareness

Transportation Commissioner Mike Taggert. For full video from today’s press conference in Starkville, click here. 

In continuing to shine a light on one of the nation’s fastest growing criminal enterprises, the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) teamed up to discuss how agencies across the state are combating this issue.

Human trafficking affects individuals across the world by using force, fraud or coercion to control victims for the purpose of engaging in commercial sex acts or labor services against his/her will. Victims of human trafficking are typically not in one place long enough to form social connections and are transported throughout the country in commercial motor vehicles.
While this may appear to be more of a global issue, since 2007, the National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) has reported over 150 cases of some form of human trafficking in Mississippi. The NHTRC reported 40 of these cases just last year.
“MDOT has joined other enforcement agencies to ensure our officers stay up-to-date with the latest information possible to identify victims on state roadways and at weigh stations,” said Transportation Commissioner Mike Tagert. “Transportation corridors offer lucrative opportunities for human trafficking. MDOT recognizes that members of the commercial trucking industry are an invaluable asset in finding a solution to this problem.”
Earlier this month, in a training led by Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT) officials, MDOT Enforcement Officers statewide were further taught how to approach potential victims, what kind of indicators to look for and what kind of questions to ask when encountering potential human trafficking situations.
“The recent TAT trainings offered a very unique perspective inside the world of human trafficking that MDOT Enforcement Officers really responded to,” said Commissioner Tagert.
MDOT is one of many agencies across the state and country that recognized January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month. Since 2015, in coordination with Gov. Phil Bryant’s Human Trafficking Task Force, all MDOT Enforcement Officers have been trained on how to identify and police human trafficking.
“Human trafficking and child exploitation are nationwide problems that affect the most vulnerable in our society,” said FBI Jackson Division Special Agent in Charge Christopher Freeze. “While efforts across the Bureau have increased to combat this criminal enterprise, we cannot do it alone—it’s imperative to partner with MDOT and other law enforcement agencies across the state to put an end to human trafficking.”
To report information about a potential trafficking situation, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline toll-free at 1-888-373-7888. Anti-Trafficking Hotline Advocates are available 24/7 to take reports of potential human trafficking. Anonymous tips can also be submitted online at www.humantraffickinghotline.org or by emailing help@humantraffickinghotline.org. Participate in the discussion on social media by using the hashtag #endtrafficking.
Access video and b-roll footage from today’s press conference in Starkville here: https://pub.mdot.ms.gov/download/Press-Conferences/MDOT-Human-Trafficking-Training—/

Courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Transportation.
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