January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month and if you think this only applies to far away places, think again. According to Vernal City Assistant Police Chief Keith Campbell, our area is not immune to the issues of human trafficking. “The state of Utah has worked several cases of human trafficking and more specifically,” shares Campbell, “our area continually works a substantial number of internet crimes against children in which the offender is located in other areas of the state or outside the state of Utah.” Officers and law enforcement agencies in the Uintah Basin work with the Utah Attorney General’s Office regarding Human Trafficking and Internet Crimes against Children investigations. Vernal Police Department encourages citizens to educate themselves. Trainings on internet safety are offered locally and those interested are asked to call Detective Shaun Smith at the Vernal Police Department at
435-789-5835
.
