Jacksonville officials announce new initiative to combat human trafficking

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville officials and community partners announced a new initiative to help combat human trafficking on Thursday.

Mayor Donna Deegan and Sheriff T.K. Waters spoke at the event at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena.

“This initiative is part of a larger multi-agency effort working closely with law enforcement, survivor advocacy groups and sports teams and businesses in and around the sports and entertainment district. Our goal is to not only raise awareness but to act through enforcement, education and outreach,” Deegan said.

Sheriff Waters called human trafficking a “criminal poison” that victimizes some of the most vulnerable members of the community.

“These are hidden crimes so well veiled that you may have seen indicators of them but simply not known. Initiatives such as this one are so important because they empower members of the public to identify the signs of human trafficking,” Waters said.

Other speakers included:

• Kristin Keen, Founder and CEO, Rethreaded, Inc.
• Lisa Chaloux, Survivor
•  Erin Wolfson, Assistant State Attorney, State Attorney’s Office, 4th Judicial Circuit
• Tom Perez, Co-Founder, The Epik Project
• Ken Vezina, VP of Business Development, Jacksonville Icemen
• Vicky Basara, CEO, The Delores Barr Weaver Policy Center