A faith-based nonprofit has been training Columbia police and firefighters to recognize the signs of potential human trafficking and terrorism in the community.
Jody Dyess, the national director of student outreach and awareness at F.R.E.E. International, began working with officers on April 23, and it him home with Police Chief Michael Kelly.
“Terrorism and human trafficking are two things I never thought I would have to be prepared for in small towns,” he said to his fellow officers and firefighters. “Unfortunately, both happen all around us.”
Dyess said that if he believed it wasn’t happening in the area, he wouldn’t bother training them.
“But the truth is you will be faced with one of these cases some day,” he said.
Dyess described brutal stories, signs to look for and a reality that no one ever wants to deal with.
“If there’s a big event going on in your town or area, you can bet these folks are bringing these girls and guys to where the crowds are in order to make a little money off of them,” he said. “Don’t doubt for one second that this is happening in your backyard. I want you guys to be vigilant and aware at all times because you will see these victims more than the general public.”
On April 25, Mark White, a patrolman and inter-community relations officer with the Hattiesburg Police Department, spoke to concerned parents about how to keep their children safe on the internet.
“Did you know that parents that have talks with their kids regularly about what they are doing online are six times less likely to engage in harmful behavior?” White asked.
He said 99 percent of all teenagers are online and 50 percent of those have admitted to being bullied. White added it’s important for parents and teenagers alike to know they should never engage with strangers online and never should release any private information.
“I think children think when they delete something on social it automatically goes away, but that’s not the case at all. At any given time, the police department can access these areas if a crime is committed and oftentimes jobs and college can be in jeopardy because of what they find online about their prospective students and employees,” he said.
Human trafficking warning signs
1. Tattoos with someone’s name with a money sign
2. Signs of physical abuse such as burn marks, bruises or cuts
3. Withdrawn, depressed, distracted or checked out
Among students:
1. Excessive classes missed
2. Tired/sleeping/withdrawn in class
3. Older boyfriend or new friends with a different lifestyle
4. Sexualized behavior
Source: P.E.E.R. International
