Chatham-Kent police are launching an action plan on human trafficking.
While there have been no direct charges laid to date, Chief Gary Conn says it's about staying one step ahead.
"There have been no occurrences in Chatham-Kent that have been reported, but we've certainly had incidents which would support the belief that human trafficking is prevalent in our municipality," he says.
He says Chatham is a prime location geographically along the Hwy. 401 corridor, as it's sandwiched between two major cities -- Windsor and London -- and near an international border crossing.
Because of that, Conn says related occurrences have often involved people who are only passing through, and not native to the area.
Still, some preliminary steps are being taken to ensure this doesn't become a problem within the municipality.
Conn says police have created a checklist with possible human trafficking warning signs for the public.
"We're hoping to take a proactive approach in informing our community, and this 'Warning Sign' checklist will [be distributed] to places where these people frequent," he says. "So for example hotels, motels, and some entertainment establishments."
Police will also be monitoring websites and working in collaboration with other enforcement, in an effort to identify potential victims, says Conn.
"So coordinating our efforts with local agencies, for example Victim Services, as well as the Anti-Human Trafficking Investigation Provincial Strategy, which is overseen by the OPP," he says.
-With files from Natalia Vega.
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