ST. PETERSBURG -- Police in St. Pete are getting almost three quarters of a million dollars to launch a regional human trafficking task force.
City officials joined the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida to make the announcement. The police department is teaming up with several local, state and federal agencies to target the growing problem.
U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez says the task force will also work to help trafficking victims.
Chief Anthony Holloway says the public will play a role in identifying possible victims.
"If you see someone... (who) looks like they're being forced to do something, call law enforcement," Holloway said.
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