Crime & Safety

Human Trafficking Documentary Features Area Police

The 'Too Close to Home' documentary, which looks at the problem of human trafficking in the Tampa Bay area, premieres at 9 p.m. Sept. 26.

This post was written by Local Editor Jared Leone.

The Clearwater/Tampa Bay Area Task Force on Human Trafficking started with the help of a federal grant and the goal to identify and rescue victims in 2006. 

Since then, the task force has made more than 130 arrests and now is part of an upcoming documentary "Too Close To Home," which looks at the problem of human trafficking in the Tampa Bay area.

It premieres at 9 p.m. on Sept. 26 on WEDU.

"Behind our world-famous beaches, tourist attractions and sunny suburbs lies an alarming secret: Tampa Bay is a hotbed for human trafficking. Men, women and children are forced against their will to serve in the sex trade, domestic servitude and agricultural industries," according to the documentary. "They are bought, sold and discarded in our own community, making Florida the third-highest ranked state in the nation for this fast-growing crime."

The film features interviews with Clearwater Police Chief Anthony Holloway and Detective James McBride.

The task force has made 131 arrests, which includes 47 convictions and 197 reported potential victims as of August 2012.

recent investigation snared a Tampa and a St. Petersburg man in a racketeering and prostitution ring that stretched from Tampa to Sarasota including a brothel in Pinellas.

Human trafficking victims can can contact the Clearwater Area Task Force on Human Trafficking at 727-562-4917 or Florida's hotline at 1-800-962-2873.

If you watch:

What: 'Too Close To Home' 

When: 9 p.m. Sept. 26

Find out what's happening in Land O' Lakeswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Where: WEDU-PBS

Visit: www.wedu.org/humantrafficking.

Find out what's happening in Land O' Lakeswith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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