Crime & Safety
Local Human Trafficking Task Force, Arrests Highlighted In Documentary
The 'Too Close to Home' documentary, which looks at the problem of human trafficking in the Tampa Bay area, premieres at 9 p.m. Sept. 26.
This article was reported and written by Patch Local Editor Jared Leone.
The Clearwater/Tampa Bay Area Task Force on Human Trafficking started with the help of a federal grant and the goal to identify and rescue victims in 2006.
Since then, the task force has made more than 130 arrests and now is part of an upcoming documentary "Too Close To Home," which looks at the problem of human trafficking in the Tampa Bay area.
It premieres at 9 p.m. on Sept. 26 on WEDU.
The task force, which includes the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, has made 131 arrests, which includes 47 convictions and 197 reported potential victims as of August 2012.
A recent investigation snared a Tampa and a St. Petersburg man in a racketeering and prostitution ring that stretched from Tampa to Sarasota including a brothel in Pinellas.
"Behind our world-famous beaches, tourist attractions and sunny suburbs lies an alarming secret: Tampa Bay is a hotbed for human trafficking. Men, women and children are forced against their will to serve in the sex trade, domestic servitude and agricultural industries," according to the documentary. "They are bought, sold and discarded in our own community, making Florida the third-highest ranked state in the nation for this fast-growing crime."
The film features interviews with Clearwater Police Chief Anthony Holloway and Detective James McBride.
The Clearwater/Tampa Bay Area Task Force on Human Trafficking started with the help of a federal grant and the goal to identify and rescue victims in 2006.
Since then, the task force has made more than 130 arrests and now is part of an upcoming documentary "Too Close To Home," which looks at the problem of human trafficking in the Tampa Bay area.
It premieres at 9 p.m. on Sept. 26 on WEDU.
The task force, which includes the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, has made 131 arrests, which includes 47 convictions and 197 reported potential victims as of August 2012.
A recent investigation snared a Tampa and a St. Petersburg man in a racketeering and prostitution ring that stretched from Tampa to Sarasota including a brothel in Pinellas.
"Behind our world-famous beaches, tourist attractions and sunny suburbs lies an alarming secret: Tampa Bay is a hotbed for human trafficking. Men, women and children are forced against their will to serve in the sex trade, domestic servitude and agricultural industries," according to the documentary. "They are bought, sold and discarded in our own community, making Florida the third-highest ranked state in the nation for this fast-growing crime."
The film features interviews with Clearwater Police Chief Anthony Holloway and Detective James McBride.
Human trafficking victims can contact Florida's hotline at 1-800-962-2873.
If you watch:
What: "Too Close To Home"
When: 9 p.m. Sept. 26
Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Where: WEDU-PBS
Visit: www.wedu.org/humantrafficking.
Find out what's happening in Brandonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
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