SacRT and the Sacramento Sheriff’s Office launch posters, a mural, and cards to help the public spot human trafficking and report it safely.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and local agencies are stepping up efforts to raise awareness and educate the public about this crime.

Sacramento Regional Transit (SacRT) is partnering with the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office and community organizations to launch a new public awareness campaign to help people spot the signs of human trafficking and know where to turn for help.

The initiative includes placing posters at bus stops in vulnerable communities, as well as on buses and trains throughout the region. 

SacRT riders will also receive informational cards detailing ways to report suspected trafficking through the ALERT SacRT app.

Lieutenant Amar Gandhi, spokesperson for the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, explained why the region is particularly vulnerable.

“A lot of it has to do simply with geography. We are smack in the middle of a lot of interstates and highways. We are in a great location as far as trafficking, not just humans, but drugs, guns, and all kinds of things. Human trafficking is obviously the one that tugs at the heartstrings and means the most to us. These are actually people being literally shipped from all across the world,” Gandhi said.

Jessica Gonzalez, SacRT spokesperson, highlighted the role of public transit in raising awareness.

“Human trafficking can happen anywhere, especially in the Sacramento region. As SacRT travels across our region, people’s eyes are on us — inside trains, buses, and at stations. By elevating this message this month, even helping a few people means we’ve made a real difference,” Gonzalez said.

During a press conference on Wednesday morning, SacRT also unveiled a new wall mural at the 16th Street Station to further highlight the issue.

According to the U.S. Department of State, more than 27 million people worldwide, adults and children, are subjected to human trafficking. 

Authorities stress that anyone can be affected, regardless of age, gender, background, or economic status.

Anyone who believes they may have witnessed or encountered human trafficking is urged to call the 24-hour National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or report it to local law enforcement.


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