America’s Human Trafficking Scourge Demands Moral Leadership

Any activity that leads to a person’s exploitation, enslavement, or manipulation is a reprehensible violation of human dignity.

Whenever selfishness, criminal enterprises, or an ideology leads to the buying, selling, or bartering of a person, there must be outrage.

In simple terms, human trafficking is a scourge against human dignity that demands unequivocal denouncement, collaborative action, and moral leadership.

The Scope of the Crisis

According to the website Allies Against Slavery, more than 40 million men, women, and children throughout the world suffer the exploitation of human trafficking and modern slavery today.

Although this travesty is international, it is also a very real American crisis.

The scope of the crisis was detailed in a statewide human trafficking study through a partnership of Allies Against Slavery with the University of Texas.

This study, funded by the Texas Governor’s Office crystalized the prevalence of human trafficking and its economic magnitude throughout the state.

The findings, published in January, 2017, include these details highlighting the crisis:

• Approximately 79,000 minors and youth are victims of sex trafficking in Texas.
• Approximately 234,000 workers are victims of labor trafficking.
• There are currently an estimated 313,000 victims of human trafficking in Texas.
• Traffickers exploit approximately $600 million from victims of labor trafficking in Texas.
• Minor and youth sex trafficking costs the state of Texas approximately $6.6 Billion.

Yet, the human trafficking industry thrives not only in Texas but in all 50 states.

Modern Slavery Defined

According to Allies Against Slavery, “Human trafficking is a form of modern slavery that occurs when one person exerts control over another person in order to exploit them economically. In this scenario, the victim is controlled through manipulation, violence, or the threat of violence and cannot walk away.”

Human trafficking is further explained as having three main components.

“The Action; which means the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring or receipt of persons

“The Means; which includes threat of or use of force, deception, coercion, abuse of power or position of vulnerability

“The Purpose; which is always exploitation. Article 3 of the UN Protocol says exploitation "shall include, at a minimum, the exploitation of the prostitution of others or other forms of sexual exploitation, forced labor or services, slavery or practices similar to slavery, servitude or the removal of organs."

Organizations Providing Solutions

Street Grace is one of the organizations dedicated to eradicating sex trafficking of minors. It combats the crisis by mobilizing communities through education, outreach, and advocacy.

The organization, located in Atlanta, Georgia, estimates that 100,000 – 300,000 American children are at risk of being victimized through sex trafficking each year.

This faith-based organization takes action against the crisis by mobilizing faith, business, and community leaders.

Combatting the crisis is multi-dimensional and demands multi-faceted solutions. Some of the initiatives Street Grace has designed to create protection and advocacy are as follows:

• Educational programs for middle and high school youth
• Volunteers on the ground to interact, train, and provide resources for victims
• Enhancing community awareness through educational initiatives
• Unifying the community to advocate for legislation

Another agency committed to combatting human trafficking is Covenant House, the largest privately funded agency in the Americas providing shelter, food, immediate crisis care, and an array of other services to homeless and runaway youth.

Covenant House says that in the United States, the most common form of human trafficking involves the commercial sex industry. It occurs in online escort services, residential brothels, brothels disguised as massage parlors or spas, and in street prostitution.

The agency states that homeless youth are often easy prey for human trafficking predators. They are low risk without family support systems as often no one cares about them. They are also easy to lure, vulnerable, and easy to manipulate since they are desperate for food, shelter, and acceptance.

Final Reflections

On March 20, 2018, the U.S. Senate approved a bill by a majority of 97-2 titled the Stop Enabling Sex Trafficker’s Act.

The bill allows victims of sex trafficking to seek justice against on-line activities that knowingly facilitate sexual trafficking.

It also allows a state attorney general to bring action in a U.S. district court to protect individuals from those “who knowingly participates in the sex trafficking of children or sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion.”

This bill is one step in the right direction but much more must be done to eradicate this travesty against human dignity.

One key solution will be the resolve of America’s youth. They have the heart to inspire an ethical renaissance through character, courage, and community.

As demonstrated recently in the March for Our Lives, understood to be one of the largest youth protests since the Vietnam War, America’s youth are standing united.

Although the March for Our Lives was dedicated specifically to sensible gun reform, the unity of America’s youth made a profound statement to America, and to the world.

Our youth gave hope that not only violence prevention, but other issues critical to our way of life, can be resolved through unity.

As the future of America, our youth deserve guidance, encouragement, and respect.

America’s youth are catalysts, pivotal to reawakening the nation, which will be realized through moral leadership, steadfast vigilance, and community cohesiveness.

Related Coverage:

Opinion: Student Walkout Is America’s Lesson of a Lifetime

Sexual Harassment Dishonors Human Dignity

America’s 21st Century Student: Character, Courage, Community


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Vincent is author of 275 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing. As a national speaker, he has addressed audiences nationwide on issues critical to America including ethical leadership, violence prevention, and crisis planning.

Photo: Police take two presumed members of a gang trafficking people to the United States to court in Tegucigalpa, Honduras on June 9, 2016. (ORLANDO SIERRA/AFP/Getty Images)

NYPD Neighborhood Policing is a Shared Responsibility

A unity of effort between the police and community is a critical foundation for protecting America and essential for securing our neighborhoods, schools, and workplaces.

Protecting our communities and the morale of the nation demands unwavering shared responsibility, the lifeline of public safety.

America must be fully committed, without reserve or excuse, to building bridges between the police and community as our way of life demands this collaboration.

Failure to share responsibility is not an option as without cohesiveness the results will only be disorder, discord, and turmoil.

Community Policing, Understanding the Background

There is information on shared responsibility according to the U.S. Department of Justice Community Oriented Policing (COPS) posted on their website which is as follows:

“Effective partnerships between law enforcement and community stakeholders are essential to public safety, and it is important that government agencies, community groups, nonprofits, businesses, and private citizens all embrace public safety as a shared responsibility. Law enforcement and community members must develop positive working relationships in order to build enduring solutions and increase trust between the police and the public.”

COPS, which is responsible for advancing the practice of community policing by preventing crime and eliminating the fear it creates by building trust throughout the community. The COPS document titled Community Policing Defined crystalizes shared responsibility as inseparable from community policing as follows:

“Community policing is a philosophy that promotes organizational strategies that support the systemic use of partnerships and problem-solving techniques to proactively address the immediate conditions that give rise to public safety issues such as crime, social disorder, and fear of crime.”

NYPD Neighborhood Policing: A Cultural Change

The COPS Community Policing concept has been further accentuated by the NYPD into Neighborhood Policing. This is an intensified version of community policing reflecting a cultural change for 21st century policing.

This cultural change is best explained by NYPD Commissioner James P. O’Neill and Chief of Department Terence A. Monahan.

In a Mar. 12, 2018 statement before the New York City Council Public Safety Committee in City Hall Council Chambers, Commissioner O’Neill shared his visionary leadership on Neighborhood Policing.

“Neighborhood Policing is not a program; it is not an initiative; and it is not just a few cops in some parts of the city trying to be nicer to people. It is a philosophy intended to reshape the approach to fulfilling our core mission – not only in an operational sense, but in the spirit and practice of every aspect of the work we do. Neighborhood Policing reflects a cultural change for our entire agency – for every NYPD employee, uniformed and civilian; for every bureau, division, and unit – and for everyone who lives, works, and plays in New York. It is about each of us sharing responsibility for public safety by working to reduce violence together – all while building trust. And it is the most radical, top-to-bottom, operational change the NYPD has embarked on in nearly 25 years. What we have learned in the NYPD is that if we want everyone who lives in our communities to trust and respect our police officers, all of us in leadership roles – from the Police Commissioner’s Office on down to the front-line supervisors on the street – also have to trust and respect our police officers. We have to allow our men and women in uniform to be decision-makers and problem-solvers. We need them to take responsibility for, and great pride in, the people and the areas of New York City they protect. And we need to treat everyone we serve equally and fairly. In short, this style of New York policing is a game-changer for our entire profession.”

On Feb. 11, 2018, Chief Monahan shared his steadfast dedication to Neighborhood Policing to community leaders at the New Jerusalem Worship Center in Jamaica, New York.

“The plan is a re-invention of the police patrol function, restoring the patrol officer to roles of problem solver and community guardian, who knows the neighborhood and works closely with residents, and giving the officers the time each day to play these roles effectively. It assigns the same officers to the same sectors on the same tours, helping the cops to know the neighborhood and the neighborhood to know the cops. The plan also provides two neighborhood coordinating officers in each sector, leading the way on community connection, problem solving, and crime fighting.”

On Mar. 20, 2018, both Commissioner O’Neill and Chief Monahan, addressed hundreds of NYPD personnel from ranks of captain and above at the NYPD annual Executive Conference. Both leaders emphasized that Neighborhood Policing is the heart of the NYPD mission. They emphasized that Neighborhood Policing is not a pilot program, but the new culture of the NYPD.

It was further emphasized that all NYPD members must reflect the Neighborhood Policing culture as well-rounded problem solvers. Yet, all must remain crime-fighters who build trust, strengthen community collaboration, and exemplify respect, courtesy, and professionalism.

Final Reflections

The Neighborhood Policing culture is building bridges of trust built on the principle of shared responsibility.

As detailed in the Principles of American Policing, being pro-police and pro-community is the bedrock of public safety.

The NYPD deserves praise for its dedication to Neighborhood Policing.

Along with every member of the NYPD, may all privileged to call New York City home support Neighborhood Policing and be fully dedicated to shared responsibility to safeguard their city.

Related Coverage:

Neighborhood Policing Illuminates NYPD Mission

NYPD Neighborhood Policing Must Intensify as Crime Records Plunge

Police-Community Collaboration: America’s Public Safety Lifeline

NYPD Leaders Exemplify Courtesy, Professionalism, Respect

Note Well:

Twitter: vincentjbove

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

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Vincent is author of 275 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing. As a national speaker, he has addressed audiences nationwide on issues critical to America including ethical leadership, violence prevention, and crisis planning.

Photos:

1. "Join us in thanking these @NYPD106Pct officers for swiftly responding to a 911 call and performing CPR on a 3-week-old newborn. Doctors credited their actions for saving his life! That’s #NYPDprotecting New Yorkers of all ages." (Courtesy NYPD news via Twitter, Mar. 20, 2018)

2. NYPD Commissioner James P. O'Neill speaking on Neighborhood Policing at the NYPD annual Executive Conference, Mar. 20, 2018. (Courtesy NYPD news via Twitter)

3. "In 100 yrs not much has stopped Ms White! So a little snow was not going to stop us from wishing her a Happy 100th Birthday! You should too!" (Courtesy NYPD news via twitter 76th precinct @ NYPD76Pct, Jan. 4. 2018)

4. NYPD officers, Times Square, New York. (Courtesy NYPD news via Twitter)

Student Walkout is America’s Lesson of a Lifetime

When Marjorie Stoneman Douglas exercised her freedom of speech to protect the Everglades at a 1973 public hearing in Everglades City, she never imagined that years later a Florida school would bear her name.

Douglas was a tenacious fighter against the indifference of officials destroying wetlands and upsetting a national treasure.

America’s Youth, Our National Treasure

Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, located in Parkland, Florida, is in the Miami metropolitan area.

The school is part of the Broward County Public School district, and it is the only public high school in Parkland.

Like Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, the school, through the passion of its students, is standing against indifference. This passion is especially exemplified through their inspiring the March 14 walkout in schools across America.

The students are at a defining moment in American history and standing against the violence that has claimed young lives gone too soon.

These young people, and all of America’s youth deserve our respect, affirmation, and empowerment.

Our youth dedicated to this cause against violence deserve the nation’s respect. They are our national treasure and teaching America the lesson of a lifetime.

Students: Moral Catalysts for Change

As a write this article, the clarion call for action against violence is reverberating across America.

The March 14 walkout is reminding us that the power of student’s voices will not be deterred. America’s students stand as the moral catalysts for change as detailed in the following headlines of the day:

*‘We want change’
*Los Angeles students lie in silence on football field, spelling out ‘Enough’
*A generation shaped by gun violence makes itself heard
*Columbine students walk out of class as part of national protest against gun violence
*Elementary school students walk out singing, ‘Put a Little Love in Your Heart’
*A 12-year-old girl’s sign: One death is too many
*She’s 14 and walked out of her school wearing a bulletproof vest
*National school walkout marks month since Parkland mass shooting
*National Student Walkout Posters Say Exactly What Politicians Should Hear
*Students at an Oregon high school form a giant peace sign
*Security measures will be taken by school districts to protect protesting students on March 14, 2018

Supporting a Righteous Cause Against Violence

There are pockets of resistance to the student walkout with school administrators walking gingerly, threatening punishment, or fearful of advocating support.

Yet, it was heartening to see paragons of visionary leadership working with the students. Throughout America, these administrative leaders were dedicated to making the protest a teachable moment. Their collaborating with the students on walkout procedures, security, and safety issues were commendable and expressive of the ideals of being educators.

The official Twitter account of the NYPD School Safety Division, responsible for 5,200 officers who maintain the safety of the 1,800 New York City schools expressed indefatigable support for students through its commissioner.

“Today, National School Walkout Day, we expect a peaceful protest against gun violence. NYPD School Safety Division is partnering with students, teachers, and community to ensure a successful walk. Safety 1st.”

Miami-Dade Superintendent Alberto Carvalho tweeted on the morning of the protest:

“To our aware, responsible, and inspiring @MDCPS students. Remember that while civil disobedience will be embraced today, your personal safety & that of those around you must be protected. Use your judgement as you stand for what you believe in. Represent us well.”

Robert Runcie, the superintendent of the district where the tragedy took place also backed the protests. He stated to a local news agency that he is “proud of the students focus and determination to turn their grief into action for positive change.”

Runcie also tweeted a quote from Marjory Stoneman Douglas on the protest day, “Be a nuisance when it counts. Do your part to inform and stimulate the public to join your action. Be depressed, discouraged, & disappointed at failure & the disheartening effects of ignorance, greed, corruption & bad politics—but never give up.”

Superintendent Brett Provenzano of the Fairport Central School District in New York State, shared these sentiments of the student protests in a letter to the community:

“I am proud of their leadership and that they are engaging in this defining moment. Through this process, our main objective will be to have a constructive, meaningful, and safe student-led event; as a district, we want to provide our students with the opportunity to express their voices civilly and prompt reflection from all sides of the issue.”

Larry Johnson, principal of Firestone High School in Akron, Ohio supported the student protest.

“Their willingness to take a stance is important to us and we are in full support of them organizing and making that statement. This makes U.S. history a real thing, not just talked about in books. They’re living a piece of history right now. Just to see students this passionate, this is what learning is. I’m very proud of how they’ve gone about this. This experience is going to really help them as they take this down the road.”

In Portland, Maine several administrators from Portland High School (PHS) held up signs to support protesting students. The signs read “PHS supports “#notonemore” and “PHS supports 17 minutes for 17 lives.

At Linden High School in New Jersey, Principal Yelena Horre supported the different approaches of protests.

“I think students are choosing to demonstrate in different ways maybe for different reasons. Maybe the students who are sitting in are sitting in to honor the lives and maybe the students who are walking out are walking out because they want to speak out and they want to make their presence known and to say that change is needed.”

Final Reflections

America’s youth will no longer be silent in the face of glaciers of apathy that have frozen sensitivities, reason, and judgement.

The deafening silence of indifference after past tragedies that led to talk without action has now met a roaring response demanding resolve.

The voices of America’s youth are speaking out and their actions are inspiring the reawakening of the nation.

Related Coverage:

Five Preliminary Tips for Improving American School Security

America’s 21st Century Student: Character, Courage, Community

17 Wounds to America’s Heart Demand Moral Courage

American School Violence Requires a Response of Courage, Commitment, and Community

Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

Facebook: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Vincent is author of 275 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing. As a national speaker, he has addressed audiences nationwide on issues critical to America including ethical leadership, violence prevention, and crisis planning.

Photo: Seventeen-year-old Annie McCasland of Potomac, Maryland holds up a sign during a rally at the U.S. Capitol to urge Congress to take action against gun violence on March 14, 2018 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. The protest marked one month since a gunman killed 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

Police Suicides: Awareness, Prevention, Action

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “each year more than 41,000 individuals die by suicide, leaving behind thousands of friends and family members to navigate the tragedy of their loss. Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death among adults in the U.S. and the 2nd leading cause of death among young people aged 10-24; these rates are rising.

“Suicidal thoughts or behaviors are both damaging and dangerous and are therefore considered a psychiatric emergency. Someone experiencing these thoughts should seek immediate assistance from a health or mental health care provider. Having suicidal thoughts does not mean someone is weak or flawed.”

Police Suicide: Danger Behind the Badge

The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) cites in their document titled Preventing Law Enforcement Suicide that each year more law enforcement officers die by suicide than are killed in the line of duty.

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS), the component of the U.S. Department of Justice dedicated to advancing community policing, encourages everyone to take action to prevent law enforcement suicides.

In an edition of their Community Policing Dispatch newsletter, COPS states the following:

“Care for officer's mental and emotional health should be on par with that for their safety and physical health. In order for prevention efforts to be successful, agencies must also address cultural and environmental barriers to prevention at all levels, e.g., the still-pervasive stigma that discourages at-risk officers from seeking help for fear of negative peer reactions or career ramifications; lack of comprehensive suicide prevention policies; and insufficient training for officers or health care providers.

“There are many people who have a role to play in preventing suicide among law enforcement officers. The attitudes and behaviors of chiefs, supervisors, peers, health care providers, family, friends, faith leaders, and others can all influence officers' health.”

NYPD Suicide Tragedies

The NYPD has already experienced three tragic officer deaths by suicide in 2018.

The most recent is the suicide of a 24-year-old rookie officer, Rachel Bocatija, who took her life inside her Brooklyn home on Feb. 27.

Other officers who lost their lives by suicide this year are Sgt. Joseph PIzzarro, 35, who fatally shot himself on Jan. 13 in a room at the Hilton Garden Inn on Staten Island. On Jan. 28, Detective Nicholas Budney took his life at an Orange County restaurant overlooking the Hudson River.

Regarding Officer Bocatija, a neighbor at the scene of the NYPD response to her suicide stated that her younger sister-who also planned to join the NYPD-found her body in a looked room of their Brooklyn home.

NYPD Commissioner: Seeking Help is Great Strength

NYPD Commissioner James O’Neill expressing his empathy, compassion, and concern, addressed all members of the NYPD regarding suicide awareness and the resources available to them.

“This week, we are again mourning the loss of one of our family members. A young police officer from the 84th Precinct, on the job for just over two years, took her own life at home in Brooklyn. Already this year, we have lost three members to suicide. One is too many.

“As an NYPD cop, the thing I am most proud of is that we truly are a family. And because we spend so much of our lives in our patrol cars, station houses, and offices, we often see more of the people we work with than our own relatives.

“Each of us is dedicated to the important business of fighting crime and keeping New Yorkers safe. This is a tough job. And your personal life can be even tougher. We all have lives outside the job. And we all have our own stories.

“We agree, in an ideal world, seeking out help is never a sign of weakness — it's a sign of great strength. If you are having a problem of any kind, please contact the services offered inside and outside the department — because you never have to shoulder your burden alone. Trained members will listen and connect you with even more help, around the clock. And if you know of someone else who may need to talk, please make the first move … Thank you for what you do every day for our department and the people of New York City. And always, stay safe.”

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Aside from resources for assistance within agencies such as the NYPD, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (NSPL) at 1800-273-8255, provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources, best practices, and building awareness.

As detailed on the NSPL website, these are some warning signs that may help to determine if one is at risk for suicide. These warning signs, “especially if the behavior is new, has increased, or seems related to a painful event, loss, or change” demands that someone seek help:

• Talking about wanting to die or to kill themselves
• Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun
• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
• Talking about being a burden to others
• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs
• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly
• Sleeping too little or too much
• Withdrawing or isolating themselves
• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge
• Extreme mood swings

Prevent a Tragedy: See Something, Say Something

Each life is sacred and deserving of respect, support, and encouragement.

The maxim “if you see something say something” is applicable not only to crime prevention, but to protecting the lives of all who serve, and all who are experiencing emotional trauma.

We must continually have our eyes wide open to warning signs of suicide, and the moral courage to respond to prevent tragedies.

Related Coverage:

American Veteran Suicide Crisis Demands Ethical Leadership

America’s Military Suicide Crisis: Awareness, Compassion, Prevention

Note Well:

Linkedin: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Join Vincent’s Linkedin Group: The Sentinel: Reawakening the Nation

Facebook: Vincent J. Bove Consulting, Speaker Services, Publishing

Vincent is author of 250 articles, including his weekly column titled “Reawakening the Nation” for the Epoch Times; 35 countries, 21 languages, and growing. As a national speaker, he has addressed audiences nationwide on issues critical to America including ethical leadership, violence prevention, and crisis planning.

Photos

1. Police Funeral. (Courtesy COPS Dispatch Newsletter)
2. Prevention Suicide Poster
3. New York Police Department (NYPD) officers on the job. Two officers stand alert near the statue of Christopher Columbus at the Columbus Circle in New York on October 9, 2017, while a small group of people protest calling for the removal of the statue. (JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)