CITY of ALBUQUERQUE
TWENTY SIXTH COUNCIL
COUNCIL BILL NO. R-24-42 ENACTMENT NO. ________________________
SPONSORED BY: Renée Grout and Dan Champine
RESOLUTION
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Directing The City Administration To Develop Anti- Human Trafficking Training And Outreach Programming For City Of Albuquerque Employees; Creating Anti-Human Trafficking Public Awareness Campaign; Requiring Anti-Human Trafficking Signs At Major Transportation Hubs
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WHEREAS, human trafficking is a grave violation of human rights and dignity, involving exploitation and coercion for the purpose of forced labor, sexual exploitation, or other forms of servitude; and
WHEREAS, human trafficking affects individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds, with particularly vulnerable populations including women, children, migrants, refugees, and marginalized communities; and
WHEREAS, human trafficking undermines the rule of law, fuels organized crime, and contributes to the proliferation of violence, corruption, and exploitation in societies worldwide; and
WHEREAS, human trafficking is a critical issue affecting individuals in urban and rural areas alike, demanding a coordinated and educated response from all sectors of society; and
WHEREAS, raising public awareness and promoting education about the realities of human trafficking, including its root causes, methods, and impact on individuals and communities, is essential for prevention and response efforts; and
WHEREAS, City staff who work in Community Centers, Senior Centers, Multi-Generational Centers, Solid Waste Collection, Transit, Animal Welfare, Code Enforcement, Restaurant Inspection, and other places in the public are in unique positions to identify and assist victims of human trafficking; and
WHEREAS, providing specialized training and outreach materials to these staff members can significantly enhance their ability to recognize signs of human trafficking, respond appropriately, and connect victims with vital services; and
WHEREAS, major transport hubs such as airports, bus stations, train stations, and ports serve as primary locations for the movement of individuals and goods, making them potential sites for human trafficking activities; and
WHEREAS, raising awareness about human trafficking among travelers, transport personnel, and the public is crucial for identifying and reporting suspected cases of trafficking and preventing further exploitation; and
WHEREAS, placing anti-human trafficking signs and informational materials in major transport hubs can effectively educate individuals about the signs and indicators of trafficking, available resources for assistance, and the importance of reporting suspicious activity to authorities; and
WHEREAS, such signage can serve as a visible deterrent to traffickers and a beacon of hope for potential victims, signaling that help and support are available to those in need; and
WHEREAS, concerted efforts at the local, national, and international levels are necessary to eradicate human trafficking, uphold human rights, and build a safer, more just world for all individuals; and
WHEREAS, the City of Albuquerque recognizes the need to enhance its
efforts in combating human trafficking and is committed to providing its employees and the public with the tools they need to make a difference in this critical area.
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL, THE GOVERNING BODY OF THE CITY OF ALBUQUERQUE:
SECTION 1. Training for City Employees
a) The City shall create mandatory training programs for all city employees to provide education about the signs and indicators of human trafficking, the proper protocols for reporting suspected cases, and the resources available for victims.
b) All City departments shall collaborate with local anti-trafficking organizations and law enforcement agencies to develop and deliver comprehensive training modules tailored to the specific roles and responsibilities of city employees.
c) The City shall develop and distribute outreach materials to City employees that provides information on recognizing the signs of human trafficking, the appropriate ways to respond, and how to connect victims with support services.
d) Within six (6) months of the passage of this Resolution, the Administration shall present an outline of the anti-trafficking employee training to the City Council, and report on the steps taken to develop the training and the plan for fully implementing the training.
SECTION 2. Public Awareness Campaign.
a) The City shall launch a public awareness campaign to inform residents, businesses, and visitors about the realities of human trafficking, its impact on individuals and communities, and the importance of taking action to prevent and combat this crime.
b) The awareness campaign shall utilize a variety of channels, including
social media, local newspapers, community events, postings at community centers, multi-generational centers, libraries, and museums, and educational materials distributed through city facilities and services.
c) Ongoing Support and Evaluation: The City commits to providing
ongoing support for staff involved in anti-trafficking efforts, including regular updates to training and materials as needed, and will evaluate the effectiveness of these initiatives.
SECTION 3. Requiring anti-human trafficking signs at the City of Albuquerque’s major transportation hubs and all homeless shelters.
a) Anti-human trafficking signs shall be posted in all restrooms and in the lobbies at the City’s major transportation hubs including, but not limited to, the Albuquerque International Sunport Airport, the Alvarado Transportation Center, the Double Eagle II Airport, the Cottonwood, Southwest Mesa, Uptown, and Unser Bus Stations, and any future such facilities developed and or owned by the City.
b) Anti-human trafficking signs shall be posted inside all City buses.
c) The City shall make these signs available to the owners of private transportation hubs including but not limited to, bus companies that provide route service between cities, and the lobbies of general aviation fixed based operators at the Albuquerque International Airport and Double Eagle II Airport.
d) These signs shall provide readers with:
a. A phone number to call and/or text to report human trafficking or suspected human trafficking;
b. Signs of possible human trafficking;
c. A website with resources to combat human trafficking; and
d. These signs may be posted in multiple languages including, but not limited to, English and Spanish.
SECTION 4. SEVERABILITY. If any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, word or phrase of this Resolution is for any reason held to be invalid or unenforceable by any court of competent jurisdiction, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining provisions of this Resolution. The Council hereby declares that it would have passed this Resolution and each section, paragraph, sentence, clause, word or phrase thereof irrespective of any provision being declared unconstitutional or otherwise invalid.