FCPD Applies for Human Trafficking Detective Grant
Application for $285,000 would pay for a human trafficking specialist and overtime for task force officers.
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The Fairfax County Police Department could be getting a full-time detective whose sole focus is combating human trafficking in the area.
During its Tuesday, May 22 meeting, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors authorized the police department to apply for grant funding from the U.S. Department of Justice. Fairfax and Prince William counties would split a $500,000 grant, financing a position for a specialist in human trafficking crimes. The money would also provide overtime pay for detectives currently assigned to the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force.
Approximately $285,000 of the grant would go to Fairfax County. But the police department will be submitting its grant application nearly two months after the March 29 deadline.
Mason District Supervisor Penny Gross expressed irritation that the board was being asked for approval so late in the process. She said the board should “be ahead of the game instead of playing catch-up.”
FCPD Lieutenant Chris Marsh, of the Organized Crime and Narcotics Division, explained that the department initially decided to pass on the opportunity. But after conferring with the U.S. Attorney General’s office and the Northern Virginia Human Trafficking Task Force, officials at the FCPD decided to apply. By that time, it was past the March 29 deadline.
The board’s approval comes after federal authorities charged five alleged gang members in March 2012 with forcing local high school girls into prostitution.
According to court documents, the alleged criminals lived in the Springfield, Lorton, Alexandria and Woodbridge areas. If girls didn’t perform, the men beat or raped them, or forced them to take illegal drugs, including cocaine and Ecstasy.
Earlier this month, Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell signed into law 13 bills that are designed to strengthen the fight against human trafficking and other violent crimes.
Click here for more information on human trafficking in Virginia.
T Ailshire
2:06 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
FCPD is submitting TWO MONTHS LATE and expecting results?
Sure wish that worked with other police-related events. Maybe paying parking tickets? Answering a summons?
FFX County Resident
2:45 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
FCPD needs more than just one person on this issue. They need a task force designed to enforce the current laws on the books, and we all know they overlap federal laws. Human trafficking and illegal imigration go hand in hand. Illegal immigrants pay huge dollars or give up basic human rights to have someone smuggle them in to this country. Human traffickers beat them or subdue them into certain types of salvery- got it. We all see it, no need to hide it or hide from it. Yes, It's a political hot potato, discussing it, not to discriminate against one race or another, but something needs to get done about it. AND, one person (detective) isn't going to do it. $285K isn't going to do it either. FCPD needs to intercept, disrupt, and dismantle these smuggling efforts (illegal immigration or human trafficking). but, we as citizen in this county to to assist in this effort. If you see 20 folks who don't belong move into a two bedroom apartment for an extended period of time, REPORT IT! I'm not talking about relatives here to visit for a week or two, I mean months. Stop with the ignorance of the law or the intimidation. My tax dollar only buys so many of our finest police officers, now do your part, help them. Go get em' FCPD. I'll support you!
FFX County Resident
2:50 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
The original topic of the funding request being late shouldn't matter. There are amendments that can be added at anytime. and why stop at the local level asking for dollars to combat this problem, why not place a bit more effort, fill out the extra paperwork and submit it to the federal gov't? Keep asking until they give the county something. If they can give my neighbors money to support their cigarette habit, I'm sure they can get funding to combat human trafficking and illegal immigration.
T Ailshire
3:06 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Using that logic, I should get my son that toy he wants ... he didn't want one at Christmas, and he doesn't want to wait until next year.
Then, of course, no need to apply for college admissions on time. Apply when you want. Deadlines mean nothing.
Could you tell my boss deadlines mean nothing?
Maybe if I keep asking, like a 2-year-old about to throw a tantrum, the government will give ME something, too.
No wonder personal responsibility is such a hard sell.
Laura
2:53 pm on Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Why, why Chief Rohrer did you initially believe that this was not worth applying for a grant? Even if it helped one person it would be worth it! And this is a monumental problem -- everywhere. After all these years is it that you can't shake the Vienna philosophy of blind denial that "it's not happening in my backyard???" Please, please wake up and realize that Fairfax County is not 'too good' or immune to the horrible atrocities of this world!