This past weekend I read an article featuring a human trafficking sting in Lake County. According to the article investigators from the Lake County District Attorney’s Office, undercover agents from the Mendocino County Task Force, and officers from the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and Clearlake Police Department worked together on the case – ultimately leading to the arrest of two suspects.

Human trafficking is a serious and growing problem – big thanks to law enforcement for addressing it.

Last summer the Soroptimist International of Clear Lake Club partnered with Redwood Community Services Inc. to host Elle Snow, a human trafficking survivor. The event was held at the Lodge at Blue Lakes, courtesy of owners Peter and Maryann Schmid.

Elle spoke to the need for awareness, intervention and prevention and bravely told her story of capture, escape and survival.

Elle made a lasting impression on the audience including a number of community leaders. In attendance that night were Brock Falkenberg, county superintendent of schools, who partnered with the Soroptimist on the event; county supervisors Jim Steele and Tina Scott, both sponsors of the event; the Lake County Family Resource Center, event partners; and District Attorney Don Anderson; Sheriff Brian Martin; interim Clearlake Police Chief Tim Celli and then-Lakeport Mayor Pro Tem, Mireya Turner.

Since that time Elle has conducted a number of human trafficking workshops in Lake County. One, specifically tailored for law enforcement officers, was hosted by Sheriff Brian Martin.

Coming to Lake County in April is the anti-human trafficking play, “Jane Doe In Wonderland.” Created by Elle Snow and playwrights Kate Tobie, Erin Johnston and Grace Booth, the play toured in 2017 to packed houses and will tour Northern California and Southern Oregon in March and April of this year.

The Soroptimist club is sponsoring the play on April 14 at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport. Look for details in the near future about this opportunity to learn how to identify and stop human trafficking.

A sad commentary on the human condition, human trafficking thrives because there is a demand. It is creeping into rural communities and will continue to do so if we don’t take the threat seriously. Fortunately, Lake County leaders do, as evidenced by the recent sting and the interest they demonstrated in attending Lake County’s first human trafficking awareness event last summer.

A quote by DA Don Anderson in the article I read indicates that human trafficking is the fastest growing crime in the United States and California. He’s right. According to California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, it is estimated to be a $32 billion a year global industry.

Considered to be a modern form of slavery human trafficking is not just a big city problem. The team that set up the sting in Clearlake deserves notice and gratitude, as do our county and city leaders who support efforts to keep human trafficking from taking hold in our community. Hats off to them!

Olga Martin Steele lives in Clearlake Oaks, Calif., and is a member of Soroptimist of Clear Lake, which won the Spirit of Lake County Award at the Stars of Lake County Award ceremony in Lakeport on Saturday, Feb. 17.