VENICE (WSNN) – Human trafficking happens in our backyards and truck drivers may be able to stop the problem in its tracks.
“This is not something that happens on the other side of the world,” Attorney General Ashley Moody said.
Florida ranks third in calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline. And truck drivers are on the front lines of it.
“There’s a story of a truck driver that pulled into a truck stop, noticed something suspicious about an RV, took the time and made the effort and had the courage to report that to law enforcement and a young woman who had been held against her will, sexually assaulted and tortured was saved,” Moody said.
This is the reason why Moody developed a program with the Department of Safety and Motor Vehicles called “Highway Heroes.”
“We need them in our fight, they are the eyes and ears on the highways around this nation, and in the state of Florida,” Moody said.
‘PGT Innovations’ is joining the fight, and planning to train 100 percent of its truck drivers.
“It’s important that we all do our part in this plague, this menace to our society,” PGT Innovations CEO Jeff Jackson said. “We have to change, we can all make a difference together if we stand together.”
PGT Driver, Bo Donaldson says they can be on the road between 40 to 50 hours per week. He says he can help.
“My eyes are always moving not the road,” Donaldson said. “It’s always nice to know what’s going on around you. And in the cars, someone could put up a sign that says ‘help.’”
This program will help local law enforcement put away the criminals.
“The smallest little phone call can make the biggest difference,” Donaldson said. “And it’s truly humbling.”
To date, the program has trained more than 4,000 commercial truck drivers in the state.
We all can look for signs of human trafficking.
“Look for folks that are hesitant to speak to others without the permission of someone else,” Moody said. “Branding marks are often a sign that someone has been claimed as property of a trafficker. Sometimes that will be on their neck or on their face.”
You can find a list of all the signs on here.
