Enforcing Laws to Prevent Unsafe Commercial Motor Vehicle Behavior Can Help Prevent Human Trafficking

摘要

The Super Bowl is one of the premier sporting events, as well as one of the primary traffic planning and enforcement periods in the United States. The city and state that host the game and the neighboring states typically see thousands of legitimate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) including (1) trucks delivering food and drinks, apparel, audio and visual equipment, and other supplies to construct their broadcasting desks and (2) buses of spectators and other fans traveling to the game. Unfortunately, criminals also take advantage of the overwhelming disparity between the number of CMVs and the number of CMV inspectors and law enforcement officers in the area to conduct human trafficking and human smuggling. Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world, and CMVs are often used for transporting victims in this form of modem day slavery. Because CMVs are a continual source of transit and an integral part of moving commodities along the roadways, it makes sense that traffickers would utilize this particular source of transportation. However, law enforcement can help identify the potential indicators of human trafficking by initiating traffic stops for missing placards or unsafe behavior with CMVs, just as they can with passenger vehicles. Law enforcement can also educate CMV drivers on how to identify possible human trafficking cases on their own and alert the authorities.