On November 26, 2025, San Mateo County officials in Redwood City held a meeting with more than 200 participants. Attendees included representatives from local, state, and federal agencies. The goal was to address human trafficking risks ahead of the 2026 Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup in the Bay Area. Law enforcement, prosecutors, victim advocates, nonprofit leaders, and members of the hospitality and transportation sectors attended the event.
Supervisors Jackie Speier and Ray Mueller co-hosted the session. They called for coordinated action to address trafficking. Speier encouraged attendees to report signs of trafficking and spoke about the effects on victims. Mueller described human trafficking as a hidden crime, often using online platforms. He shared his experience with a trafficking case from his legal career.
Speakers discussed both sex and labor trafficking. They said victims are often misled by false promises and then controlled. Trafficking can occur in construction, agriculture, and domestic work. Craig Missakian, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California, highlighted the need for collaboration among agencies, businesses, nonprofits, and faith-based groups…