28-02-2025
Big events often bring human trafficking; how Columbus plans to fight it
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Anyone planning to visit downtown Columbus this weekend, whether for the Arnold Sports Festival, to celebrate after the stadium series, or for another reason, get ready for a crowd.
Columbus Police and partner agencies have been preparing and on Thursday, NBC4 received an overview of what's new, what's expanding and what people can expect to keep them safe.
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'What we are seeing in events that have happened elsewhere is part of the reason why we had to take another look at are we doing everything that we can here to help mitigate any potential for even an accidental incident to happen that can be perceived as an actual threat,' Columbus Police Special Services Bureau Commander Justin Coleman said.
It's going to be busy and law enforcement is ready with added barriers for both cars and pedestrians and extra officers on patrol. However, like any big event, there is also something else they are keeping an eye on: human trafficking.
The Ohio Human Trafficking Task Force is always on the lookout and this weekend, hotels will be, too.
'We have a robust engagement in the Ohio AG's Human Trafficking Task Force and while the Arnold isn't responsible or necessarily brings in that, we do know that events that have large crowds do have crimes of opportunity,' Coleman said.
Law enforcement is on the lookout and asking the community to keep an eye out as well.
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'The Arnold is a big event and human traffickers are drawn to crowds and people with money,' Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost said. 'So this is not the Arnold, the Arnold's been very cooperative with us in our enforcement efforts and we are glad that they're here and that other events like it come to our town.'
The first-ever Ohio human trafficking hotline (844-END-OHHT/844-363-6448) launched in September; last month, it expanded to an app.
'It wasn't until I actually started to meet some of the survivors that I realized how awful this is and how widespread,' Yost said. 'It's modern-day slavery. I couldn't believe that it was going on in Ohio.'
Since September, there have been 132 tips from the public through the hotline, texts, the app and the website. It's a resource that's available 24/7.
Law enforcement said if you see something, say something, about anything that you might think is suspicious.
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'Many are individuals that are coming into the city that are staying at our hotels,' Coleman said. 'If they see something that they believe that just isn't really legitimate, we ask them to contact hotel staff who have been great partners with us.'
He added that patrols across the city have been increased for the weekend.
'You'll see officers on horseback, you'll see our helicopter unit, you'll see officers on bicycles, motorcycles, foot patrol,' Coleman said. 'You'll see some of our pops and our public safety officers out.'
Police said to have patience and a plan this weekend. There will be a lot of traffic, but police are making sure there is extra attention on crosswalks and directing traffic to make it run as smoothly as possible.
More resources can be found here.
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