The Brief
- In the weeks surrounding Super Bowl 60 in the Bay Area, 29 suspects were arrested, and 73 victim-survivors were rescued in a regional human trafficking operation.
- Nearly 70 law enforcement agencies coordinated across multiple counties and operated a centralized command center with 20 analysts providing real-time intelligence.
- Advocates say large-scale events can create conditions for exploitation, and officials plan to continue similar efforts during future major events, including the World Cup.
SAN JOSE, Calif. – Super Bowl 60 brought a surge of visitors and economic activity to the Bay Area. But experts say large-scale events can also be linked to an increase in human sex trafficking.
On Thursday, authorities released the results of a Bay Area-wide operation aimed at identifying traffickers and rescuing victims surrounding the Super Bowl.
By the time the game arrived, local law enforcement agencies had been preparing for at least two years for a potential spike in trafficking activity.…