Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Troopers and Motor Carrier Inspectors from the Indiana State Police have teamed up with officers from neighboring states to raise awareness of human trafficking.

The agencies have also partnered with Truckers Against Trafficking to educate drivers about the signs of human trafficking and to enforce laws that crack down on traffickers.

“The goal of this week-long tri-state human trafficking initiative is to raise awareness and educate those individuals in positions to observe human trafficking taking place, such as commercial motor vehicle drivers, public transportation companies, rest area attendants and truck stop employees,” stated Capt. Jon Smithers, Assistant Commander of the Indiana State Police Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Division. “These individuals are a force multiplier that can act as the eyes and ears of Indiana’s highways.”

Indiana State Police first partnered with Truckers Against Trafficking in 2016 and is working diligently to become to become a state that has fully implemented awareness program.

Currently three states, including Michigan, have fully implemented the program.

To report trafficking, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center at 888-373-7888 or text BeFree to 233733.

As of October 31, 2016 the resource center received 206 calls and reported 66 cases of suspected human trafficking in Indiana.