Jan 30, 2023

Harrisonville bust shows long reach of human trafficking

Posted Jan 30, 2023 5:30 PM

By MATT PIKE

'St. Joseph Post 

No place is immune to the dangers of human trafficking, not even a small town like Harrisonville, Missouri.  

To illustrate just how pervasive human trafficking is Northwest Missouri State Small Business Development Center director Rebecca Lobina recalls a story told to her by federal officials about a bust in Harrisonville. 

Lobina says federal officials got a call from a woman in New England who knew her niece crossed the southern border illegally and somehow wound up in Missouri. 

"Harrisonville, Missouri would never think they were having any trafficking, but it's just one of those things that happens because Missouri is right in the middle of the country," Lobina tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "And we have so many highways and interstates crossing across us that it makes it one of the most trafficked areas in the country." 

Federal officials rescued the niece and several others and arrested the trafficker. 

While the problem of human trafficking continues to grow across the state, many people may not be aware of the signs to look out for.  

The Northwest Missouri State University Small Business Development Center will welcome the Department of Homeland security to help teach people. 

Lobina says people may not realize the effect that human trafficking has on businesses in the area. 

"With some of the events that are coming up it's really even more important to recognize that human trafficking exists, recognize what it is, and recognize some signs to be aware of," Lobina says. 

Lobina says events, such as the upcoming NFL Draft in April, will draw more people to the area. 

Lobina says with more people purchasing hotels, going to convivence stores, and shopping locally, that could even spread away from Kansas City.  

"And that will seep into St. Joseph as well, with the NFL Draft, and so again just all the more reason that the businesses in town need to be aware and the community as a whole need to be aware of what those signs are to look for," Lobina explains. "So that when they see something, they can say something." 

An event will be held Tuesday at the St. Joseph Chamber of Commerce offices with the Department of Homeland Security from 9:30am to 10:30am. 

Photo courtesy of Rebecca Lobina
Photo courtesy of Rebecca Lobina