HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 12/15/2020 - Information From Darin Atteberry Re: Memorandum From Justin Gallimore Re: Fort Collins Human Trafficking 2020 UpdateFort Collins Police Services
Special Operations Division
2221 S. Timberline Road PO
Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6555
970.416.2145 - fax
fcgov.com
MEMORANDUM
DATE: December 04, 2020
TO: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
THROUGH: Jeff Swoboda, Chief of Police
Tim Doran, Assistant Chief of Police
Jerry Schiager, Lieutenant Special Operations Division
FROM: Justin Gallimore, Sergeant of Neighborhood Engagement Team
RE: Fort Collins Human Trafficking 2020 Update
____________________________________________________________________________
Background
Human Trafficking is a well-publicized, malicious crime which impacts people from all walks of life
throughout the country every day. In the City of Fort Collins, it is most often experienced through the lens of
sex trafficking (prostitution) and Fort Collins Police Services (FCPS) is dedicated to reducing these types of
crimes as well as their impact on their victims and our community. As part of FCPS’ strategy, the
Neighborhood Engagement Team (NET) has been investigating these crimes for several years; and, over the
course of this period, has successfully blended community awareness, education and proactive enforcement
into several innovative policing solutions.
2020 Summary Conclusion of Human Trafficking in Fort Collins:
FCPS has not seen any discernable increase in cases of Human Trafficking or made any identifiable recovery
of trafficked women or men in 2020, but that has not stemmed our department’s commitment to
uncovering this travesty whenever it exists or has ties to our community.
2020 Proactive Actions:
This year NET officers made the following noteworthy achievements, despite the COVID-19 outbreak and its
associated impact:
•Following a lengthy investigation which began in late 2019, NET officers filed several charges early in
2020 against the owners of two local illicit massage parlors suspected of prostitution and possible
human trafficking. Those cases included numerous Felony and Colorado Organized Crime Control Act
charges.
•Early in 2020, NET facilitated a targeted information campaign at a local hospital tailored to medical
providers who might encounter the victim of sex trafficking during their workday. This training platform
gave them useful information about indicators and patterns of abuse and how to appropriately involve
law enforcement when the need arises.
•Another outreach milestone was reached when the unit rolled out a unique community oriented
policing product designed to partner local hotel and motel staff members with police in a collaborative,
December 10, 2020
TO: Mayor & City Council
FROM: Darin Atteberry
FYI /sek
information sharing exchange. This program, called Inn Keeper Training, was specifically conceived
knowing Fort Collins sees most of its sex crimes occurring within the perceived safety of hotels and
motels. The information provided by NET officers to hospitality staff members was designed to help
them identify potential sex trafficking victims and crimes based on their unique characteristics and “red
flag” indicators. Once identified, it empowered them to be a part of the solution by sharing real-time
information with the police department in a timely manner.
• FCPS/NET created an easily accessible FAQ style information page on its website
(https://www.fcgov.com/police/human-trafficking) which describes how sex trafficking takes shape in
our city and what community members can look for if they suspect sex trafficking of occurring. It also
highlights some of the efforts FCPS is taking to mitigate this important issue.
• As part of NET’s continued commitment to proactive enforcement, it conducted a prostitution Demand
Reduction Operation in September at a local hotel and arrested seven men for prostitution related
charges, with one for distribution of narcotics.