A PRODUCTION OF LOWER CAPE TV

How Cape Cod Police are Handling Human Trafficking

Lower Cape News editorial staff

Orleans Police Chief Scott MacDonald explains how the police are working alongside the Cape and Islands District Attorney in the counteroffensive against human trafficking.

"I don't know how widespread it is on the Cape, this is something that we're learning, and it's very difficult to identify. In the summer months ... when you have a significant increase in our population through tourism ... that may attract traffickers to this area"

Scott MacDonald,
Chief of Police, Orleans PD

The local police are sharpening their tools to tackle the grim reality of human trafficking on the Cape. Scott MacDonald, Chief of Police at Orleans Police Department, explains how the police are working alongside the Cape and Islands District Attorney, in the counteroffensive against trafficking.


Growing Awareness and Action

In recent months, concerted efforts have been made to tackle this issue head-on. From the Cape and Islands district attorney implementing new strategies to local police departments sharpening their detection tools, there's a united front against this age-old problem. The formation of working groups and collaboration with organizations like Homeland Security and advocacy groups signify a proactive approach to combatting trafficking.


Invisible Victims and Evolving Challenges

Despite historical roots dating back to the arrival of white settlers, human trafficking has remained largely invisible, aided by the covert nature of the crime. The advent of social media has further complicated matters, providing traffickers with a convenient platform to prey on potential victims.

Facing the Unknown

While progress is being made, challenges persist. Understanding the true extent of trafficking on Cape Cod remains elusive, compounded by seasonal population fluctuations and the complexities of labor trafficking. As authorities continue to unravel the intricacies of this issue, one thing remains clear: the fight against human trafficking is far from over.


Watch the Video NewsReport

Scroll up to watch the video to find out how tourism is connected to trafficking on the Cape.
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HERE.


See LCTV News previous coverage on the DA's new Human Trafficking division and the grant supporting it.


More information about this topic

Call the Cape Cod hotline: 774-822-0632

Call the National Human Trafficking Hotline: 1-888-373-7888 or text: 233733

Click here to visit the website Helping Survivors to learn about available resources


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