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Residents urge Milford to adopt human-trafficking ordinance, push for employee training
Summary
Multiple residents called on the Board to craft an ordinance aimed at preventing human trafficking and to require training for hotel, truck-stop and service workers; speakers said they would participate in drafting and asked the city to consult police and state agencies.
Several Milford residents used the public-comment period to press the Board of Aldermen to draft a local ordinance aimed at preventing human trafficking and to require training for employees in high-risk locations.
"We have quite a few risk factors in trafficking here in Milford — a popular truck stop, a mall and hotels within a six-exit radius on I-95," Elizabeth Simonetti told the Board. She asked the city to work with the police chief and the Department of Public Health and offered a draft dossier and language drawn from other municipal ordinances to kickstart drafting.
Other speakers echoed the call for education and community awareness. "Why not require the training that members of our community are asking for? Educating employees can save lives," Lauren Larkin said, urging mandatory training so hotel and service workers can spot and report signs of trafficking.
Several faith- and community-based speakers — including Wally Hauck, who noted his role as chair of the Human Concerns Committee at Saint Raphael Parish — said they would collaborate with city staff and community partners to provide materials and outreach.
Board response and next steps: The mayor acknowledged the gravity of the issue and directed staff to consult with the police chief, the Department of Public Health, and the city attorney about what ordinances or training mandates the city can lawfully implement. No formal motion on a trafficking ordinance was before the Board at this meeting.
