APTA Honors AC Transit for Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign
APTA Honors AC Transit for Human Trafficking Awareness Campaign
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) honored AC Transit with one of 2022’s AdWheel Best Educational Partnership First Place awards for our public outreach campaign, “Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking.”
In December, AC Transit partnered with the offices of Alameda County District Attorney Nancy O’Malley, Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton, along with county law enforcement, Alameda County and Contra Costa County Sheriffs, to spotlight the growing epidemic of human trafficking in the communities we serve.
The previous year, under the careful guidance of both the Alameda County District Attorney and Sheriff’s Department, AC Transit launched the Human Trafficking Awareness Training program for our Bus Operators and Road Supervisors. Now our industry-leading certification of frontline workers includes training on how to recognize and report human trafficking.
AC Transit’s service area is 364 square miles, so no matter the community, we used onboard messaging to alert riders of law enforcement’s recommendations on spotting the signs of human trafficking, how to get help locally, and in multiple languages.
Alameda County, in the heart of the San Francisco Bay Area, is the third highest “hot spot” for human trafficking in the United States. The Alameda County District Attorney’s Office reports that 4,700 youth are victims of sex trafficking. Sixty-one percent (61%) are African American, followed by 15% Latinx, 12% Caucasian, and 12% Other. The Contra Costa County District Attorney reports that it is also identified as one of the national hot spots for human trafficking. Four hundred (400) youth are sex trafficking victims and there has been substantial reasoning to suspect an underreporting of the activity.
In Spring 2020, AC Transit’s Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 20-019, which unequivocally declares our solidarity with nationwide Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking (TLAHT). Additionally, AC Transit signed a pledge to join the US Department of Transportation, Federal Transit Administration, and other leading transportation authorities in taking the following action: (1) educating our employees on how to recognize and report signs of human trafficking, and (2) raising awareness among the traveling public.
AC Transit highly commends our fellow transit partners who have organized Transportation leaders to put the brakes on human trafficking.
If you need help or if you see warning signs that someone else may need help, please 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: https://www.contracosta.ca.gov/7674/Contact-Us
Additional Resources
Transportation and Local Leadership:
