CCSO’s Sex Offender Registration, Tracking Team to increase human trafficking investigations with community’s help
CHATHAM COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - The Chatham County Sheriff’s Office announced that they are increasing its presence to stop human trafficking in our community, which ranks between fourth and sixth in the state for reported sex trafficking cases of minors.
Seconds can change someone’s life. From being a kid on the playground or an adult going to work. They can become victims of human trafficking.
Sheriff Richard Coleman said time is not on their side, so creating this unit with the Sex Offender Registration and Tracking Team as quickly as they could was significant.
“Victims are real, victims have no age, they have no gender. They only have one thing in common – they suffer," he said.
He spoke directly to victims at Thursday’s press conference.
“You may be somewhere locked in a dock room, you may be under somebody’s basement, you may even be in a closet, but I have heard your cry and I feel your concern,” he said. “I feel your fear, and I know the need for your safety.”
The Sex Offender Registration and Tracking Team, along with partners like Tharros Place, say enough is enough.
“We can’t close our eyes to it, and it’s been the goal and the efforts of the Chatham County Sheriff’s Office to do whatever we can to put an end to this terrible act of crime,” said CCSO Chief Deputy McArthur Holmes.
“We can fight and we can win,” said LaToya Scott, Residential Director at Tharros Place. “We can help those who have been involved, who have been hurt, who have been suffering.”
Investigator Jason Heckman said they will emphasize a holistic approach, which includes the enforcement of the predators, and then resources for victims and their families on the backend.
He also emphasized the importance of getting tips from the community if they see something or know something.
“It is going to be a very difficult job, but I know we’re up to it,” said Heckman. “When they put that information out, we’re going to track down every tip we’re given.”
Sheriff Coleman said they have already discovered two cases with leads that could lead to change since the group’s creation last week.
He’s calling on other sheriff’s offices across the state to join in on their fight for justice.
“There’s no brotherhood and sisterhood like the Georgia sheriffs, so get involved in this fight with me,” he said.
They plan to have resources available online for people to contact their team by Friday, according to Coleman.
Major Kevin Street, who is responsible for overseeing the SORT unit, said they will be relying on partners, like Tharros Place, because they don’t have the manpower to handle this effort on their own or enough hours in the day.
“The traumas that they have suffered are deep -- psychologically scaring,” he said. “We will partner with these organizations to help these victims regain themselves.”
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