County To Form Human Trafficking Task Force Ahead Of Super Bowl

TAMPA, FL -- In anticipation of the Super Bowl coming to Tampa in 2021, the Hillsborough County Commission is forming a human trafficking task force to develop a strategy to curb human trafficking activities that the event historically attracts.

Among those lauding the commission's decision is a Tampa resident who knows all too well the devastating consequences of human trafficking.

Raised in the south Tampa community of Baycrest, Connie Rose said she was a typical high school student.

"My story is really about being the girl next door, about going to school, being a dancer, going to pep rallies," she said.

Like a lot of teen girls, Rose became involved in beauty pageants, a decision that led to her being trafficked for sex.

"I was sold for sex," Rose told county commissioners Wednesday.

Now the founder of Victims2Survivors and an active member of the Free Network, Rose has become a tireless advocate for human trafficking victims.

Sex trafficking is a year-round problem, noted Rose, Tampa Bay is third in the nation for human trafficking. But she said trafficking rises dramatically during Super Bowls.

"Many victims are brought into Super Bowls host cities to be sold for sex," she said. "Many victims are brought in to be used as party favors."

County Commissioner Kimberly Overman attended a summit on human trafficking hosted by the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce on Monday. She said it prompted her to propose forming a task force made up of a cross section of community leaders.

See related story: Human Trafficking: The Downside Of Being A Super Bowl Host

"We need to be prepared and we need to let sex traffickers know that Tampa Bay has a zero tolerance toward sex and labor trafficking," she said.

Commissioner Sandy Murman seconded Overman's proposal, adding that the effort shouldn't only be directed toward the Super Bowl.

"It should be every major event in this county to keep our people safe," she said.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, who also attended the summit on Monday, applauded the commission's decision.

"I support efforts that would reduce the ability of human traffickers to operate within Hillsborough County," said Chronister. "Combating human trafficking and those who profit from the sex trade must be a shared priority by everyone in our community and I commend County Commissioner Overman for being such a strong advocate to end human trafficking."

Overman said she appreciates the support from fellow commissioners and other community leaders.

"Establishing this task force not only helps us best prepare for the Super Bowl, but, as we grow in attraction for entertainment and business conventions, it establishes the precedent that we have zero tolerance for human trafficking in our community."

Overman also said she wants to work with county staff on legislation that prohibits hourly hotel rentals in Hillsborough County.

"Our advocacy and awareness work as it relates to human trafficking has focused mostly on the supply side of the supply-and-demand dynamic of this issue," she said. "By proposing a prohibition to hourly hotel/motel room rentals, it directly addresses demand. Local business owners who permit short-term rentals, especially to the same person within a 24-hour period, are usually knowledgeable about the activity occurring in their establishment, but have turned a blind eye. This lack of action has stimulated the industry demand by providing locations for this activity to take place. This must end in our community."

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