The city’s General Investigative Section says out-of-town operators are setting up locally, online exploitation of minors is increasing, and the community has a role to play.
If you or someone you know needs support, contact the Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-833-900-1010, available 24/7 in more than 200 languages.
Human trafficking is happening in Lloydminster.
Staff Sgt. Jerry Nutbrown, who leads the RCMP‘s General Investigative Section at the Lloydminster detachment, told the city’s Governance and Priorities Committee Monday that the unit has investigated active trafficking cases in the city – and that the problem is connected to a network that extends well beyond the border city.
“That’s happening here,” Nutbrown said. “And generally that is related to the sex trade. Out of town people we’re generally seeing that will come in. They’ll set up either in a rental or maybe a hotel or something like that. And then there will be a way of booking and things like that which are online.”
In at least one case, investigators traced money back to Taiwan.
“So we start getting international,” Nutbrown said. “That’s way beyond what we can do.”
Nutbrown told council that sexually related offences have been increasing, and that a significant portion involve minors.
The offences range from the online exchange of explicit materials and child abuse materials, to sextortion – where intimate images are used to extort victims, to cases where social media is used to arrange in-person meetings. In many of the cases involving minors, Nutbrown said the contact is not random.
“It’s generally something that’s more ongoing,” he said. “Possibly grooming and on a long-term thing like that.”
He was careful to note that while young people are often compliant in these situations, their age means they cannot legally consent.
The RCMP has delivered presentations to parents on keeping children safe online. Nutbrown acknowledged there is a gap on the adult side of that education – the unit has been focused on enforcement rather than community awareness for that demographic.
Coun. Michele Charles Gustafson drew on personal experience, telling council she had called police after witnessing suspicious activity in her own neighbourhood and that it led to an investigation.
She called on residents to trust their instincts.
“Don’t think you can’t be part of the solution,” Charles Gustafson said. “There’s a call to the community to report what you see if something doesn’t smell right.”
Nutbrown confirmed that community tips have been among the unit’s most effective tools.
“We had some that were not on our radar at all,” he said. “We ended up with charges on some of that strictly because of the people that are watching going, that doesn’t seem right. And that’s all we need.”
Suspicious activity can be reported to the Lloydminster RCMP non-emergency line at 780-808-4000, or anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 1-833-900-1010.
