GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – An event at NWTC is aimed at spreading awareness about keeping eyes and ears open around the state’s highways.
The event on Wednesday to stop human trafficking is sponsored by Schneider and assisted by Truckers Against Trafficking and the Brown County Sheriff’s Office.
Sgt. Matthew Wilson, one of the event speakers, says, unfortunately, this is a widespread issue.
“There has been human trafficking in all 72 counties of Wisconsin,” says Sgt. Wilson. “It’s not just a big city problem anymore.”
Actually, it’s just as big of a threat outside of urban areas.
“Frankly, it’s a little bit scarier in the rural areas, because there’s not a lot of police agencies that have the time to put into this,” explains Sgt. Wilson “So the state has to come in to assist them.”
According to him, the problem has long existed.
“It’s sort of been here all along, we’re just now starting to pick up on it more because we have more training on it, we’re starting to train more officers on it, and we’re starting to train the general public on what to look for,” explains Sgt. Wilson.
He says there are a number of signs that people should look out for.
“If all of a sudden a younger female or male have an older boyfriend or [girlfriend] that’s not in school,” he explains.
Other signs would be if a young person has expensive accessories or clothing that they normally wouldn’t be able to afford. An individual carrying around multiple cell phones should be regarded as suspicious, in most contexts.
Often times the most glaring signs are the simplest ones.
“We can give you all the tools in the world and all the tips and things to look for, but if a situation just doesn’t seem right,” he says.
The event is being held at the NWTC Conference Center and is open to the public. It runs from 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM.
Also speaking will be Laura Cyrus from Truckers Against Trafficking, an organization that provides training to drivers.
