January is National Slavery & Human Trafficking Prevention Month
MILWAUKEE (January 15, 2021) – Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE) is increasing efforts to identify and stop human trafficking. Beginning this week, passengers will notice signage throughout the Airport asking for help in spotting signs of human trafficking. Additional signage installed in restrooms details how victims of human trafficking can reach out for help.
“Human trafficking occurs in every county in Wisconsin. In our area, studies show about two-thirds of human trafficking victims are Black, and a staggering 97 percent of victims are women,” Milwaukee County Executive David Crowley said. “Trafficking has inextricable ties to racial injustice and inequity. Generations of systemic racism that pervade our institutions to this day have created disproportionate rates of poverty, abuse, and housing insecurity among Black people and other communities of color that exposes them to traffickers who take advantage of their lack of security or protection.”
“Combatting the scourge of human trafficking goes hand-in-glove with our mission to achieve racial equity and make Milwaukee County the healthiest county in Wisconsin. It is critical that we do our part to identify both victims and traffickers, but also transform the systems that create the conditions for trafficking in the first place,” Crowley added. “I am pleased that the Airport is taking this leadership role to increase awareness and help stop human trafficking in its tracks.”
“MKE is committed to stopping human trafficking by educating our employees and alerting passengers on what to look for,” Airport Director Brian Dranzik. “Nearly all of our employees have completed Blue Lightning Initiative training, while many airline and tenant employees have also gone through their own training to spot and respond to human trafficking. Our new signage is part of the Airport’s efforts to step up awareness and shine a light on this important initiative.”
Transportation and travel industry members are working together to combat human trafficking. As part of this effort, MKE has joined the Transportation Leaders Against Human Trafficking (TLAHT) initiative. The Blue Lightning Initiative is supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
Anyone who observes any suspected human trafficking should call 1-866-347-2423 to report it.
MKE offers nonstop flights to 35 destinations coast-to-coast, and more than 200 international destinations are available from Milwaukee with just one connection. MKE is served by Air Canada, Alaska, American, Delta, Frontier, Southwest, and United. The complete list of nonstop cities can be found at mitchellairport.com.
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport is owned by Milwaukee County and operated by the Department of Transportation, Airport Division, under the policy direction of the Milwaukee County Executive and the County Board of Supervisors. The Airport is entirely funded by user fees; no property tax dollars are used for the Airport’s capital improvements or for its day-to-day operation.
