Town Hall addresses smuggling, trafficking
Town Hall addresses smuggling, trafficking | | hccommunityjournal ... Community journal
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Kerr County Sheriff Hosts Human Smuggling Town Hall
Kerr County Sheriff Larry Leitha hosted a second Human Smuggling Town Hall last week at the Hill Country Youth Event Center, after receiving numerous requests to do so following the first event held in Mountain Home last month. The town hall focused on addressing trespassing issues related to the influx of illegal immigrants and attracted over 300 attendees.
Clarifying Human Smuggling and Human Trafficking
During the event, Sheriff Leitha and his command staff provided clarification on the difference between human smuggling and human trafficking to the more than 250 local residents in attendance. Sheriff Leitha, along with KCSO deputies Matt Waldrip and Cris Lalonde, who attended the DPS academy together and now have leading roles in the local law enforcement community, shared their experience working with DPS on the border.
Capt. Jason Waltrip explained that human smuggling involves the transportation of individuals seeking illegal entry into a country, while human trafficking refers to the involuntary exploitation of individuals for forced labor or commercial sexual exploitation. Both issues require different operations by law enforcement.
Law Enforcement Efforts and Interlocal Agreements
Law enforcement authorities have been actively targeting human smuggling along Hwy. 83 and Hwy. 41 in western Kerr County. The county has interlocal agreements with Kimble, Edwards, Real, and Kinney counties to jointly work on combating smuggling and trafficking along these highways.
Intel plays a crucial role in their success, and the sharing of information with counterparts, including Homeland Security, is a priority. The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office has established an in-house digital forensic laboratory to extract information from cell phones and computers, aiding in investigations.
Grant Funding and Consequences for Smugglers
The sheriff’s department has received over $724,000 in grants this year, primarily used for equipment and overtime costs related to interdiction efforts. Smugglers arrested on felony charges have their migrants turned over to Border Patrol, while the smugglers face multiple felony charges and potential asset forfeiture.
The department aims to make smugglers realize the risks and consequences of their actions in Kerr County. Pursuits often result in damage to fences, gates, and other personal property. Since October 2021, there have been 95 arrests for human smuggling, 345 detained migrants turned over to Border Patrol, 22 seized vehicles, 28 pursuits, and 10 seized weapons.
Public Involvement and Assistance
The public can aid law enforcement by reporting any suspicious activity or evidence of smuggling or trafficking to the Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, signing up for the Code Red notification system allows individuals to receive information about events happening within their geographic area, including severe weather and emergencies.
To sign up for Code Red, visit the county website www.co.kerr.tx.us.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
The article discusses issues related to human smuggling and human trafficking, which are violations of human rights and can lead to exploitation, inequality, and insecurity. These issues are connected to SDG 16, which aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels. SDG 5 is also relevant as it focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls, including those who may be victims of human trafficking. Additionally, SDG 8 and SDG 10 are connected as they address decent work, economic growth, and reducing inequalities, which can be impacted by human smuggling and trafficking.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres
- Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking
- Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies
Based on the article’s content, the specific targets that can be identified are related to ending abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and violence against children (Target 16.2), eliminating violence against women and girls (Target 5.2), eradicating forced labor, modern slavery, and human trafficking (Target 8.7), and facilitating safe and orderly migration (Target 10.7).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of arrests for human smuggling
- Number of migrants detained and turned over to Border Patrol
- Number of vehicles seized
- Number of pursuits
- Number of weapons seized from smugglers
- Number of female victims recovered
The article mentions several indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include the number of arrests for human smuggling, the number of migrants detained and turned over to Border Patrol, the number of vehicles seized, the number of pursuits, the number of weapons seized from smugglers, and the number of female victims recovered.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children | – Number of arrests for human smuggling – Number of female victims recovered |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres | – Number of female victims recovered |
| SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth | Target 8.7: Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labor, end modern slavery and human trafficking | – Number of arrests for human smuggling – Number of vehicles seized – Number of weapons seized from smugglers |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies | – Number of migrants detained and turned over to Border Patrol – Number of pursuits |
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Source: hccommunityjournal.com
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