The Grey Bruce Community Safety and Well Being Plan's Crime Prevention Action Table is doing its part to educate people about human trafficking.
The latest campaign is aimed at short-term rental property owners, because of a growing trend of traffickers using short-term rentals due to the greater possibility of anonymity.
West Grey Police Chief Robert Martin, who chairs the Crime Prevention Action Table, says they will be pointing out tell tale signs of traffickers during the campaign for short-term rental owners.
"The big signs are frequent use of short-term rentals. A person that shows up all the time using the same rental. Last minute bookings or multiple bookings if you're in the same area, people own multiple properties and see multiple bookings. People arriving or departing from the property with no luggage, or luggage that's not appropriate for the length of their stay," Martin described.
Another sign is people at the property who seem to be under the control of another person. Chief Martin adds that the campaign will also teach short-term rental owners how to deter criminals from using their properties for human trafficking and how to report suspected human trafficking to police or Crime Stoppers.
"Screening your bookings carefully and looking at guest reviews from other short-term rentals. What did they say was going on? Don't accept last-minute bookings, and if you do, have very clear and concise questions that you ask the person who wants that booking. Put cameras outside your property, so you can see who's coming and going. Don't allow unsolicited guests at your property. Finally, state clearly in your rental agreements that you're committed to preventing human trafficking and other illegal activities on your property," add Martin.
On top of pointing out tell tale signs of traffickers during the campaign for short-term rental owners and how to prevent it, Chief Martin notes that the importance of reporting suspicious activity will also be discussed.
"So resources are available on the Grey Bruce Community Safety and Well Being Plan website. If you go under resources, you can see it all there. If you notice a strange thing or that something seems wrong, report it to police. You can do that anonymously through Crime Stoppers or directly call your local police detachment," Martin said.
The campaign is a joint effort by the CSWBP Crime Prevention Action Table with the Joy Smith Foundation and Violence Prevention Grey Bruce.
To access the Short-Term Rental Anti-Human Trafficking resource for your area please visit: Resources-Community Safety and Well-Being Planning