A film about human trafficking, and what it can look like in Michigan, is screening at Hancock Central High School tonight. A reception will start at 5:30 for Ring of Silence and the movie begins at 6:15. Keweenaw Report spoke with Iron River Police Chief Curt Herrington. He says that in addition to the Upper Peninsula Human Trafficking Task Force, various law enforcment agencies have banded together to form the Upper Peninsula Human Oppression Strike Team (UPHOST). Herrington says that people need to understand that human trafficking, coercing others into various activities, does exist locally.
He says that someone can find themselves falling into a bad situation at any age, but children are most at risk. Herrington says careful monitoring of your son or daughter’s cell phone is a necessity.
Herrington says the old rules still apply, even in a digital age, and any app that is trying to convince your kids otherwise needs to be viewed with suspicion.
Herrington says local sheriffs and municipal police departments have an open door for victims and are ready to hear their story.