Interchange February 2022
Vol. 50, Iss. 2
Highway Patrol assists in human trafficking prevention WHP supports Truckers Against Trafficking
that life, and then they’re given the idea that there’s no way out. It’s not because they want to do it, they’re forced to do it,” Stewart said. “A lot of times trafficking victims are young people who are either abducted or they’re runaways, and they get brought into horrible circumstances like sex trafficking rings,” said Nate McCarty, a commercial truck driver with ABF Freight and a team captain for America’s Road Team which is a national public outreach program within the American Trucking Associations (ATA). One of the organizations that McCarty is involved with is Truckers Against Trafficking (TAT), which aims to educate, equip, empower and mobilize members of the truck, bus and energy industries on the critical role they can play in fighting Trafficking continued on page 6
Port of Entry Officers Tyson Rein and Chris Stewart share information with a driver at Love’s Truck Stop in Cheyenne to raise awareness about human trafficking.
Photo: Rick Carpenter
By Mark Horan “Human trafficking is something we don’t always think about in the context of transportation issues, however, human trafficking is one of the great atrocities of the 21st century,” according to the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance (CVSA). “As many as 24.9 million men, women and children are sold into prostitution, domestic servitude or other forced labor around the globe.” Trafficking activity has been reported in all 50 states, lest you think it doesn’t happen in Wyoming. (See side bar.) Which is why the Wyoming Highway Patrol is focusing their efforts by educating commercial motor vehicle drivers, carriers, law enforcement officers and the general public about the crime of human trafficking, the signs to look for, and what to do if you suspect someone is being trafficked. “Human trafficking is happening in and through our state, and so it’s important to understand the indicators so we can help save lives,” WHP Colonel Haller said. “Our troopers and port officers make a lot of drug seizures, and that’s good, that’s what we should be doing. But the rescue of people is more important than any other type seizure we make.” Combatting this type of modern day slavery involves three factors according to Haller: identifying victims, rescuing them, and providing them with resources so they can return to a safe and normal life. Trafficking victims can be male or female of any age,” noted WHP Port Officer Chris Stewart. “Usually they’re lured into
Photo: Rick Carpenter
Commercial motor vehicle drivers educated by WHP to be on the lookout for trafficking signs
Truckers who go through the Truckers Against Trafficking training receive decals to put on their truck indicating they are a safe zone for victims to reach out for help.
