LTC 113-2013 MBPD - Efforts to Combat Human Trafficking (2) MIAMI BEACH F I Fr
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER 2013 APR - 8 AN 10: 11
NO. LTC# 113 -2013 LETT�
TO: Mayor Matti Herrera Bower and MeiEorts rs of the ity Co ission
FROM: Jimmy L. Morales, City Manager
DATE: April 5, 2013
SUBJECT: Miami Beach Police Department — to Combat Human Trafficking
This Letter to the Commission (LTC) is in response to correspondence received by Mayor Matti H.
Bower from Siovan Hufsky on March 21, 2013 regarding the City's efforts to combat human -
trafficking in our community.
The Miami Beach Police Department (MBPD) partners with several local and federal agencies to
address the issue of human trafficking in the City of Miami Beach, including the Miami -Dade County
State Attorney's Office Human Trafficking Unit, The Kristi House, United States Secret Service Miami
Electronic Crimes Taskforce, and the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) Minor Vice Taskforce.
The MBPD has assigned Detective Gary Aime as the department's liaison to the State Attorney's
Human Trafficking Unit. This Unit is specially trained to prosecute human trafficking and related
offenses. Miami Beach Police Officers who encounter a situation that may involve human trafficking
refer the information to Detective Aime. When Detective Aime receives the information he will conduct
an investigation and when there is sufficient probable cause will affect an arrest and ensure resources
are provided to the juvenile victims.
Over the years, members of MBPD Special Victims Unit as well as members of the Strategic
Investigations Unit (SIU) have acquired special training at the Crimes Against Children Conference and
other locally sponsored training opportunities.
In addition to traditional follow up investigations, MBPD engages in proactive efforts to address
underage prostitution. In conjunction with the FBI Minor Vice Taskforce, MBPD conducts checks of
locations where underage prostitution may take place and take enforcement action when warranted.
MBPD established a special detail, which focuses on violent street crime and has led to several
prostitution related arrests. These arrests involve persons who are in engaged in the procuring persons i
under the age of 18 for prostitution, selling or buying of minors into sex trafficking or prostitution.
As you may be aware, many times these types of crimes cross jurisdictional lines, and as a result, the
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MBPD relies on its federal partners to assist with resolving these issues. The issue of juvenile sex i
trafficking is a priority for the Miami Beach Police Department, and the department will continue to
dedicate resources to pursue rescuing victims of sex trafficking. j
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.
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