Investigator, chief and volunteers highlight Red Sand Project, warn of local trafficking risks

Lewisburg leaders and a Department of Children's Services investigator on Tuesday presented the Red Sand Project and local trafficking trends and urged residents to participate in an awareness event. Carrie, who introduced the segment, opened with a short video describing Red Sand as a community art project used "to raise awareness about vulnerabilities that lead to exploitation."

DCS investigator Danielle Kozart, introduced by the police chief, summarized hotline and case figures and described the groups most at risk locally: runaways, children targeted through acquaintances, and victims of labor trafficking. Kozart said regional call volumes in 2024 included 406 calls in Middle Tennessee and emphasized that forced labor and online exploitation are often underreported. "Middle Tennessee had 406 calls," Kozart said, and she urged parents to monitor social apps such as Discord, Roblox and TikTok.

In a short Q&A, council and attendees pressed whether local agencies can address the top-level organizers behind trafficking networks; Kozart and the chief said DCS focuses on victim services while local, state and federal law enforcement build criminal cases. Kozart noted systemic limits: when one criminal actor is arrested, others sometimes reappear, making prevention and coordinated prosecution difficult.

Carrie invited the public to a community sand-pouring event at the Lewisburg Rec Center on July 31 at 9:30 a.m. to increase awareness and community engagement with the Red Sand Project. The presentation ended with council appreciation for the speakers and recognition that prevention requires interagency coordination.