Thread: Code enforcement officers join efforts to crack down on huma

Code enforcement officers join efforts to crack down on human trafficking
Mon, Aug. 20, 2007

By ALEX BRANCH
Star-Telegram Staff Writer

FORT WORTH -- The city's code enforcement officers are looking for more than illegal dumping, overgrown lots and unsafe buildings.

Recognizing signs of human trafficking was recently added to their training after other law officers asked for help.

"They've recruited us to be their eyes and ears on the streets," said code officer Alex Southern, a spokesman for the department. "Our officers are out in the neighborhoods every day. We see and hear a lot."

Federal, state and local authorities are trying to crack down on human trafficking in Dallas-Fort Worth, believed to be one of the fastest-growing hubs for trafficking.

Human trafficking involves forcing people from other countries, other states or even other parts of the Metroplex into servitude, often to repay a debt. The work includes prostitution, housekeeping or construction.

Large operations have been found in Fort Worth.

In 2002, federal agents raided six bars and seven homes after officials found Honduran women being forced to work as barmaids.

Authorities have busted similar operations in Dallas.

In December, Fort Worth created a police anti-trafficking unit with a $600,000 grant from the Justice Department. The unit, which the grant funds for three years, is part of the North Texas Anti-Trafficking Task Force, a collaboration of law enforcement and social service agencies.

The unit has several open investigations of Fort Worth-area trafficking, said Kathleen Murray, the unit's program director. But it asked code officers for help generating more leads.

"They cover a lot of ground," Murray said. "If they see any of the clues we've told them about, they'll notify us."

Training consists of explaining human trafficking and describing what goes on. There were accounts of women forced to have sex with men every 15 minutes for hours a day.

Half of each woman's earnings are withheld by the trafficker to pay for room and board and condoms. Victims are beaten, and food is withheld in this form of slavery, authorities said.

"It is deplorable," Southern said. "After seeing the way these people are forced to live, our officers were eager to help."

There are 75 code officers in the field, he said.

An example of what may raise a red flag would be a house being intermittently packed with people. Traffickers sometimes own several houses and rotate their victims. Judging from officers' reactions as police described some of the places under investigation, they will be able to help, he said.

"Our people would say: 'Hey, I know exactly where that it is. It's on my beat at such-and such address,'" Southern said. "We see those places every day. We just need to know what to look for."

What is human trafficking?

The use of force, fraud or coercion to exploit a person into involuntary servitude, debt bondage or forced labor.

The use of force or coercion can be direct and violent, or psychological.

Source: State Department

By the numbers

Between 17,000 and 50,000 people are trafficked each year into the Unites States from other countries.

300,000 American youths are trafficked around the U.S. Many are runaways.

Worldwide, 600,000 to 800,000 people are trafficked across international borders.

Sources: State and Justice departments

How to spot it

Heavy security at a commercial establishment, including barred windows, locked doors, isolated location, electronic surveillance.

Women never seen leaving the premises unescorted.

Victims kept under surveillance when taken to a doctor, hospital or clinic. Trafficker often acts as a translator.

Employers holding identity documents and living with employees.

Homes intermittently filled with people. Traffickers sometimes rotate victims among residences.

Fear and reluctance by the victims to speak to anyone in authority.

Signs of abuse such as bruises and malnourishment.

Poor living conditions.

Employees unpaid or paid very little.

Sources: Police and Humantrafficking.org

To report trafficking

Call the Fort Worth Anti-Trafficking hot line, 817-378-1531.

Alex Branch, 817-390-7689
abranch@star-telegram.com

http://www.star-telegram.com/metro_news ... 07602.html

Oh, if only DFW would be willing to adopt 287 (g). Seems as though the Alamo no longer has any meaning! We are over run with the invaders in the DFW metroplex. I don't even like going out to shop anymore. It won't be long before we will have to speak the invaders language to get goods and services and I refuse to go to ANY restaurant because of the employees!