Executive Summary
- Bay Area leaders launched a coordinated anti-trafficking campaign ahead of Super Bowl LX and the World Cup.
- The NFL is providing $200,000 in grants to support local nonprofits fighting exploitation.
- District Attorneys from San Francisco, Santa Clara, and Marin are collaborating to address cross-border crimes.
- Airport staff are receiving specialized training to identify red flags among travelers.
SAN FRANCISCO — Leaders from across the Bay Area, including law enforcement officials and nonprofit organizations, have launched a coordinated campaign to combat human trafficking in preparation for Super Bowl LX and the upcoming FIFA World Cup. The initiative, announced during the annual Kick-Off to Anti-Human Trafficking Month, aims to unify efforts across county lines to address potential exploitation associated with major sporting events.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie emphasized the city’s commitment to a unified response rather than isolated efforts. “San Francisco will not look the other way. Instead, we will coordinate across law enforcement, social services, and community partners, not in silos – not after the fact, but in real-time,” Lurie stated during the announcement.
The Bay Area Host Committee confirmed financial support from the National Football League to bolster local resources. Zaileen Jammohamed of the Host Committee noted that the committee is working with the NFL to provide a total of $200,000 in grant funds. These funds are designated to assist three key anti-trafficking nonprofits in the region to strengthen their ongoing operations.
While the focus is high, experts acknowledged conflicting data regarding the correlation between major sporting events and trafficking rates. Several studies, including research published in the Anti-Trafficking Review, indicate there is little to no statistical evidence that the Super Bowl drives a significant increase in sex trafficking. However, authorities maintain that the influx of visitors necessitates heightened vigilance regardless of statistical trends.
District Attorneys from San Francisco, Santa Clara, and Marin counties confirmed a regional collaboration to handle the cross-jurisdictional nature of trafficking crimes. San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins highlighted the coercive nature of these crimes. “Unfortunately, these victims are held captive and hostage without really any contact with the outside world, and they are placed in fear that if they say anything there will be harm to them and their families,” Jenkins said.
Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen added that his office has increased the number of prosecutors and investigators dedicated to combating human trafficking. Rosen stated, “We actually have briefings coming up in the next few weeks from our federal partners about what kind of criminal trends we can expect to see with the coming of the Super Bowl and FIFA.” Additionally, staff at multiple Bay Area airports are undergoing training to detect behavioral indicators of trafficking among travelers, such as disorientation or restricted communication, according to Erika Keaveney, Executive Director of Freedom Insight.
Regional Security Strategy
The convergence of local police, federal agencies, and social services represents a proactive security posture designed to mitigate the risks associated with high-density international events. By integrating financial support from the NFL with operational collaboration among neighboring District Attorneys, the strategy aims to close jurisdictional gaps often exploited by trafficking networks. While the statistical link between Super Bowls and trafficking spikes remains debated among academics, the operational consensus among law enforcement is that the sheer volume of travelers creates an environment requiring specialized detection protocols at transit hubs and hospitality venues.
