By John Dobberstein, Editor
For the second time in a year, the plague of human trafficking will be discussed in Broken Arrow in a forum hosted by law enforcement and educators.
The Broken Arrow Police Department and Broken Arrow Public Schools are partnering to host the forum Monday at Central on Main, 210 N. Main St. The forum starts at 6:30 p.m. and doors open at 6 p.m. The goal of the forum is to raise awareness on the growing threat of human trafficking and exploitation in Broken Arrow and the surrounding area.
“Human Trafficking can look very different depending on the place, time and population,” said Broken Arrow Police Chief Brandon Berryhill.
Officials organized the forum to create a conversation with actionable steps parents can use to keep their children safe. The panel will take the broad subject of human trafficking and bring it down to the context of what parents can do locally to fight it. “Being vigilant and prepared is the first step in preventing a tragedy,” Berry said.
The forum will include a panel discussion followed by a Q&A.
The following organizations will be involved with the panel: Broken Arrow Police Department, The Demand Project, Muscogee Creek Nation, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Broken Arrow PTA and Broken Arrow Public Schools.
“As educators, it’s important for us to provide opportunities for citizens to continue learning, especially on topics that impact our students and community,” said Broken Arrow Public Schools Superintendent Chuck Perry. “This topic is certainly uncomfortable, but it’s something we need to tackle head on and work together to keep our community safe.”
Community organizations will have booths set up at the forum with additional information.
Human trafficking has seen an increasing focus by law enforcement in Oklahoma in the last few years. As part of National Human Trafficking Prevention Month in January, U.S. Attorney Clint Johnson announced a partnership with the Tornado Alley Child Exploitation and Trafficking Task Force (TACETT) created by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).
TACETT will be proactive on crimes against children relating to the internet including the distribution and production of child pornography, child enticement or exploitation, and human trafficking.
Six months ago, Michael Hoskins, a former drug intelligence officer and retired major with the Oklahoma City Police Department who now works with the Oklahoma Commission on the Status of Women, spoke to more than two-dozen people at a Citizens for Liberty event about the psychology behind human trafficking and how difficult it is to pinpoint and prosecute.
Youth are a big target, and sometimes they don’t realize they’re being targeted because cell phones have become so ubiquitous in their lives, Hoskin said.
“Our whole life is on the phones. Well, guess what? If I want to traffic you as a teenager, I’m going to get on these social media apps and start trying to connect with you. It’s very, very simple for me to do.”
Two years ago, the Broken Arrow Police Department received a $25,000 grant to utilize special software that will assist in the protection of children from sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. The 12-month grant came from Operation Underground Railroad. The department planned to use GrayKey – high-end software that assist investigators in accessing user data on phones and other devices.
Operation Underground Railroad is a non-profit organization that exists to protect children from sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. The organization offers law enforcement agencies funding for GrayKey for 1 year in exchange for arrest and discovered victim numbers through usage of the software.
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