The Portland Police Bureau's Human Trafficking Unit participated in the 19th National John Suppression Initiative (NJSI) organized by Cook County Sheriff's Office in Illinois. The operation had a total of 22 law enforcement agencies nationwide that aimed at targeting potential buyers to provide deterrence and disrupt the online activity for commercial sexual solicitation.
During the time frame of January 1, 2020 to February 2, 2020, the Portland Police Bureau made a total of 252 contacts with potential buyers via text messages and phone calls, which ranked 3rd nationwide behind New York City, New York and Tarrant County, Texas. The online decoy ads were monitored by Officers as well as with the assistance of artificial intelligence.
A total of 304 deterrence messages were sent out in response to an inquiry by a potential buyer. The end user received a message similar to the one attached. Portland Police Bureau members also made 6 arrests during this initiative, one of which was related to an investigation that started in February 2019. Since 2011, during the NJSI operational period, 10,000 buyers have been arrested nationally. The data gained from this collaboration aides in future investigations and deterrence efforts.
If you know someone that you believe is being trafficked, please contact the Portland Police Bureau at (503) 823-3333 (non-emergency) or 911 (emergency). You can also send information directly to the Portland Police Bureau's Human Trafficking Unit at ppbhtu@portlandoregon.gov or submit a tip via the National Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.
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