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Council and partners mark Human Trafficking Awareness Month; police cite case numbers and regional task-force plans
Summary
Council members presented a resolution acknowledging Human Trafficking Awareness Month, recognized survivor-led nonprofits, and heard Sacramento Police Department officials report case and conviction figures and plans for a regional task force.
The Sacramento City Council formally recognized Human Trafficking Awareness Month with a presentation led by Mayor Pro Tem Guerra and remarks from survivor advocates, nonprofit leaders, and a Sacramento Police Department representative.
Mayor Pro Tem Guerra opened the presentation by noting Sacramento's partnerships with local nonprofit organizations and law enforcement and asked community representatives to come forward to receive the resolution. Council Member Katie Maple thanked the organizations and highlighted work by Weave, My Sister's House, Saint John's, Community Against [redacted], City of Refuge and others that provide survivor services and prevention programs.
Rafaela Fontenot, who identified herself as a survivor and a partner with the city's nonprofit network, described partnerships between survivor-service organizations and law enforcement as "amazing," saying the agencies are "one phone call away" when outreach or intervention is needed.
Deputy Chief Adam Green, speaking for Chief Kathy Lester, reviewed enforcement results from the Sacramento Police Department's human trafficking unit. Green said the unit, created in 2020, had filed nearly 100 cases, with 69 charged and about a 70% conviction rate. He said the department and the District Attorney's Office are participating in a newly announced regional human trafficking task force led by the county DA to enhance collaboration and prosecutions.
Council members and presenters also promoted community events tied to the month, including a screening of the Regional Family Justice Center's documentary Hope Rising at the Guild Theatre and other local partner activities. Several nonprofit representatives described services they provide, including drop-in centers, medical clinics, hotlines and partnerships to support survivors' exit from exploitation.
The council received the resolution and applauded local nonprofit partners and law enforcement for collaborative efforts to identify victims and pursue prosecutions.
