In a city where shadows frequently conceal illicit deals, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) has shed light on the darkness of human trafficking inside its jurisdiction. According to the City of Portland, many arrests were made in Northeast Portland as the PPB, in collaboration with its Human Trafficking Unit and other divisions and agencies, works tirelessly to eradicate human trafficking and support its victims.
The East and North Precinct Priority Projects, Central Precinct, the Detective Division, the Special Resources Division, and the Victim Services Unit all contributed to the combined efforts. Partnerships expanded to include the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office, and Multnomah County Parole & Probation, all working together to tackle this widespread crime more effectively. Several charges were issued as a result of the recent missions, including commercial sexual solicitation, forgery, and firearm-related crimes.
Individuals such as Petros Ghebremedhin, 54, and Raul Alarcon Gonzalez, 29, were highlighted in the roundup because they faced extra counts in addition to commercial sexual solicitation. Others implicated varied in age and location, demonstrating the breadth and diversity of individuals participating in unlawful operations. Among the details described were the towing of six vehicles and the interaction with sixteen providers, who were offered support or connections to critical services.
Safety Compass, a nonprofit group that advocates for survivors of commercial sexual exploitation and human trafficking, particularly those under the age of 25, was mentioned prominently. The Human Trafficking Unit has various obstacles, including survivors dealing with recurrent traumatic exposure, trauma bonding with traffickers, and a significant fear of retaliation. Despite these hurdles, the PPB continues to work relentlessly to provide trauma-informed, victim-centered services, with the goal of assisting and truly rehabilitating afflicted individuals rather than simply prosecuting.