In a concrete step toward combating human trafficking in Detroit, Councilmember Angela Whitfield Calloway, Mayor Mary Sheffield, and the Detroit Human Trafficking Task Force have teamed up to install new informational signs at local lodging establishments, beginning with the Crystal House Motel. The signage, featuring the toll-free phone number for the National Human Trafficking Resource Center and a dedicated Detroit Police Department reporting number, serves as both an aid for victims and a stern warning to perpetrators. In a move indicative of the city's no-nonsense approach to this grave issue, these measures were initiated in Councilmember Calloway's district at the Greenfield Road motel, according to the City of Detroit's news release.
A clear statement of the city's stance, the signage is a result of a hotel ordinance passed unanimously by the Detroit City Council in May 2024 and represents a larger, coordinated effort to eradicate the scourge of human trafficking. "This gives anyone experiencing or suspecting exploitation a clear lifeline and lets traffickers know that the city has zero tolerance for human trafficking," said Councilmember Angela Whitfield Calloway in a statement published on the city's official website.
Mayor Sheffield, echoing the councilmember's sentiment, reinforced her administration's dedication to victim protection, "Today is a reminder for those experiencing or suspecting exploitation, that there is support available right now – all you have to do is call." The mayor emphasized the city's zero-tolerance policy for traffickers, expressing gratitude to the task force and Councilmember Calloway's leadership, as stated in the same news release.
The Detroit Police Chief Todd A. Bettison gave his assurance to hold traffickers accountable, "I will see to it myself that they are held accountable. And I will work diligently with Councilwoman Calloway to ensure all Detroit lodging establishments comply with the Human Rights Division and that the proper signage is placed inside the establishment’s lobbies and other high-traffic areas," he stated on the city's website.
The Detroit Human Trafficking Task Force, established in 2022, comprises key organizations and law enforcement agencies, including DHS Homeland Security Investigations–Detroit, the Detroit Police Department, and nonprofits such as Covenant House and Alternatives for Girls. This coalition is dedicated to advancing prevention, protection for survivors, and increasing public awareness throughout Detroit, as per the City of Detroit's news release.
