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Polk County proclaims January human trafficking prevention month and marks MLK Day with community speakers
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Summary
At its regular meeting the Polk County Board of Supervisors proclaimed January 2026 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month, declared Jan. 19 as Martin Luther King Jr. Day locally, and heard remarks from community leaders including state Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott and YMCA CEO Cameron Nicholson.
The Polk County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday proclaimed January 2026 as Human Trafficking Prevention Month and declared Monday, Jan. 19, 2026, Martin Luther King Jr. Day in Polk County, then invited community leaders to address the board.
Supervisor Altringer introduced the human trafficking proclamation and said he is forming a local think tank to map gaps and coordinate with state and federal partners. During his remarks he stated that “over 1,000 people are trafficked in Polk County a day,” which he described as the impetus for the county’s planned prevention efforts. That figure was stated by the supervisor during the meeting and is reported here as a claim made in the public record, not independently verified by the board or staff.
The board then adopted a proclamation honoring the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and invited local leaders to accept the proclamation and describe related community events. State Sen. Sarah Trone Garriott, who identified herself as a Lutheran pastor and former nonprofit leader, praised the county’s diversity and encouraged civic engagement. Cameron Nicholson, president and CEO of YMCA Greater Des Moines, accepted the proclamation on behalf of the YMCA and described a Jan. 19 prayer breakfast and the organization’s work on child care, housing and wellness. Audrey Kennes, city director for human services for West Des Moines, and Catherine Harrington, president and CEO of the West Des Moines Chamber, outlined volunteer activities tied to the holiday, including a meal-packing event and scholarship programs. April Wells of Creative Visions and Keisha Fields of Polk County human resources also spoke, thanking the supervisors for the recognition and describing community partnerships.
Speakers repeatedly framed the proclamations as calls to service and community partnership. The board paused for a moment of silence earlier in the meeting to honor the life of Renee Nicole Goode and invited speakers to gather for photos after the proclamations.
Next steps: the proclamations are ceremonial and do not impose new county policy; speakers invited residents to participate in locally organized MLK Day events on Jan. 19, and Supervisor Altringer said he would continue convening partners on trafficking prevention.
