Georgia Officer's 'Life-Changing' Ride Helps Human Trafficking Victims

SANDY SPRINGS, GA — A journey with a purpose has aided Sandy Springs Police Officer Janssen Redcay in raising more than $6,600 to benefit children who have been trafficked.

For the last five years, Redcay has embarked on personal treks across the country, riding his bicycle for hundreds of miles. Redcay does not know why he enjoys cycling cross-country; he is simply drawn to ultra-trek cycling.

In the words of the officer, "this year was different."

This year, his journey served a cause.

Redcay traveled to Austin, Texas, and cycled at least 1,000 miles back to Sandy Springs to fundraise for Zoe International, an organization that assists children who have been trafficked.

He returned Saturday to Sandy Springs after 10 days on the road. He was joined by other cyclists to finish his final few miles, escorted by the Sandy Springs Police Department, according to the department.

"Being a father of a young daughter, I knew exactly why I was pushing myself," Redcay said of his trip.

"Being a police officer, I have seen human trafficking firsthand, especially when I was a police officer in Arizona. I am well aware that 26 percent of all human trafficking victims are children. In the last few years, there have been plenty of publicized arrests in metro Atlanta related to human/child trafficking. Georgia is currently the fifth-highest state related to human trafficking. I can’t imagine any child being seen as a commodity item for labor or sex. Due (to) this, I was more than happy to pay for my trip and donate all money raised to Zoe International."

During his trek, Redcay cycled through Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia. He rode between 82 and 132 miles a day, traveling through temps as low as 39 degrees and as high as in the 80s. On two days, it rained for a few hours, he said.

Redcay documented his trek by posting a video every morning and posting a nightly update of his day on Facebook. Sandy Springs Police shared the posts.

"With the huge support gathered in a short amount of time, this trip was life-changing for me," he said. "As a police officer and father, children’s welfare comes first. Child trafficking is something I feel passionate about fighting."

Redcay continued to exceed his goal, starting with a target of $2,000 and eventually collecting more than $6,600 in fundraising.

He said he had gathered at least $2,000 before getting on his bicycle in Texas. He then raised the goal to $5,000, committing to shaving his legs if he reached $3,000.

"On the evening of day two, I shaved my legs," Redcay said.

If he would have reached $10,000, Redcay said he would have created a TikTok dance video to a song of his daughter's choosing. Though the $10,000 has not yet been met, he said donations continue to pour in after his journey.

"I want to seek more corporate support from Atlanta-based businesses for Zoe International’s mission," Redcay said. "Atlanta specifically has been titled a 'hub' city for human trafficking. This crime affects all of us, especially if you are a parent of a young child."

In June 2023, Redcay will be a support person for Zoe International and will ride for Team Zoe in the 2023 Race Across America, heading east to Maryland from southern California on his bicycle.

"I already have future plans to continue my ultra-cycling treks," he said. "The destination/route are unknown but the passion is more alive than ever."