Jackie Speier and Ray Mueller, members of the San Mateo County Board of Supervisors, will provide $160,000 in Measure K funds to reestablish a human trafficking cybercrimes pilot program in the District Attorney’s Office, after a 4-0 board vote June 10.
The county had a human trafficking unit housed in the Sheriff’s Office until 2022. Human trafficking for sex and labor are among the world’s fastest growing criminal enterprises, according to a press release from both Speier and Mueller.
“The fight against human trafficking must evolve with the way these crimes are committed — online and in the shadows,” Mueller said. “This program is an investment in technology and expertise to identify traffickers and protect victims in our community. With major global events headed to our region, we must act with urgency and purpose to prevent exploitation and bring perpetrators to justice.”
Speier and Mueller’s request for $160,000 in Measure K district-discretionary funds will allow for the District Attorney’s Office to establish and fund staffing to execute a Human Trafficking Cybercrimes Unit dedicated exclusively to the identification of human trafficking activities taking place online that can then be brought to full prosecution in San Mateo County, according to the press release.
The services funded will be implemented through Dec. 31, 2026.
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