Human Trafficking

The bills will strengthen penalties for trafficking, increase training and support victims

Under the bill, DCF would be required to certify adult safe houses, inspect and re-certify them every year.

They would crack down on sexual battery, violent crimes, gun theft, human trafficking and more.

With National Human Trafficking Awareness Month ending in January, Florida is considered to have the country's third-highest number of calls to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

Under Rep. Jackie Toledo's bill, places like hotels and vacation rentals would no longer be allowed to charge an hourly rate.

The Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office now has a full-time squad of 12 deputies targeting human trafficking.

Operation Game Over resulted in the arrests of three men on charges of human trafficking of a minor as well as the recovery of six individuals who were believed to be victims of human trafficking.

Part of the effort to stop human trafficking involves training commercial truckers, hotel staff and Uber drivers to recognize victims.

Tampa International Airport is expecting up to 30,000 more passengers each day heading into the Super Bowl, but the COVID-19 pandemic is still affecting travel.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister announced the arrests of 71 individuals as part of "Operation Interception."

A regional task force formed earlier this year with a federal grant has developed a smartphone app that citizens can use to report suspected human trafficking. Victims can also use the app to make contact with detectives.

With the Super Bowl coming to Tampa in February, the Hillsborough County Commission on Human Trafficking is bringing together key players at the federal,…