Executive Summary
- Santa Clara County is launching a major anti-trafficking initiative ahead of Super Bowl LX in 2026.
- The Santa Clara County Human Trafficking Task Force is coordinating over 50 agencies for the response.
- District Attorney Jeff Rosen emphasized the inclusion of law enforcement, social workers, and nonprofits in the strategy.
Authorities in Santa Clara County have announced a comprehensive regional strategy to deter human and sex trafficking in anticipation of Super Bowl LX, which is scheduled to take place at Levi’s Stadium in 2026. The initiative represents a coordinated effort among Bay Area officials to secure the community against exploitation networks often associated with large-scale international sporting events.
The response is being led by the Santa Clara County Human Trafficking Task Force, which officials describe as the largest coalition of its kind in Northern California. The task force aims to prepare the region for the significant influx of visitors expected for the Super Bowl and other major events slated for the area in 2026. County supervisors, along with the sheriff and district attorney, convened Tuesday to outline the operational readiness of the region.
According to Santa Clara District Attorney Jeff Rosen, the strategy relies on extensive inter-agency cooperation. “We have more than 50 law enforcement agencies and prosecutors, Department of Children and Family Service social workers, nonprofit organizations and analysts all coming together to combat human trafficking in response to the Super Bowl and upcoming sporting events,” Rosen said. The officials emphasized that early preparation is critical to managing the logistical and safety challenges posed by the upcoming surge in tourism.
Major Event Security Strategy
The activation of a multi-disciplinary task force years in advance of Super Bowl LX highlights the elevated risk profile associated with mega-events. Historically, the massive temporary population increase during the Super Bowl creates an environment that can be exploited by trafficking operations, necessitating a response that integrates intelligence sharing across municipal lines. By incorporating social services and analysts alongside traditional law enforcement, the Santa Clara County strategy indicates a shift toward a holistic model that prioritizes victim identification and support as heavily as criminal interdiction.
