AC Transit drivers and road supervisors are rolling into New Year with new skills on how to help local law enforcement agencies “put the brakes on human trafficking.”
In December 2020, AC Transit began providing human trafficking awareness training with the support and guidance of the Alameda County District Attorney and the Alameda County Sheriff’s offices. As of Friday, all road supervisors and the vast majority of drivers have completed a District-standard training curriculum on how to recognize and report signs of human trafficking, according to AC Transit.
Both Alameda and Contra Costa counties are considered among the nation’s hot spots for human trafficking, officials said. Alameda County is the third highest hot spot in the U.S., with 4,700 youth reported as victims of sex trafficking, per the county’s District Attorney’s Office.
In Contra Costa County about 400 youth are trafficked “and there has been substantial reasoning to suspect an underreporting of the activity,” officials said.
In Spring 2020, AC Transit’s Board of Directors adopted a resolution to declare solidarity with the nationwide Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking (TLAHT). AC Transit also signed a pledge to join the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, and other leading transportation authorities in educating employees on how to recognize and report signs of human trafficking, and in raising awareness among the traveling public.
Those needing help or who see warning signs that someone else may need help should notify the designated hotline by calling (888) 373-7888 or texting 233733; or call 911.
Important phone numbers
- To report immediate danger, call 911.
- For 24 hour help, call the National Human Trafficking Hotline: (888) 373-7888 or text BEFREE (233-733).
- For all non-emergency reports, call the Alameda County Heat Watch Tip Line: (510) 208-4959
- For all non-emergency reports, call the Contra Costa County Human Trafficking Tip Line:(925) 957-8658 or make contact online by visitng here.
