Human Trafficking in North Carolina: How to Spot it and Stop It

Human trafficking, a form of modern slavery, is a serious and ongoing issue worldwide. Unfortunately, even North Carolina isn't immune to this social problem. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, our state ranks in the top 10 in the U.S. for human trafficking cases. In 2020 alone, there were 219 reported cases, and it's alarming to think that this is just the tip of the iceberg.

In a major crackdown, law enforcement in Polk County, Florida recently pulled off a huge sting operation targeting human trafficking. This operation resulted in dozens of arrests, including public school employees, Uber drivers, a daycare worker, and even three Disney employees. The sting called 'Operation Traffic Stop,' involved multiple agencies and took months of careful planning and execution. Above all, this operation shows just how important it is to be vigilant, work together, and take proactive measures to fight human trafficking. It's a lesson that places like North Carolina can take to heart as we combat this terrible crime.

The first step in combating human trafficking is recognizing potential victims. There are signs to look out for, like individuals who appear malnourished, have physical injuries, avoid eye contact and interaction, or seem fearful of authority figures. They may also lack personal identification and belongings.

As concerned citizens, we can make a significant contribution to eradicating this problem. The North Carolina Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NCCAHT) is an excellent resource for education and prevention. Additionally, the Polaris Project operates the National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888), which serves as a lifeline for victims and a reporting tool for others. Moreover, the Salvation Army's Project FIGHT (Freeing Individuals Gripped by Human Trafficking) provides comprehensive case management for victims, helping them recover and reintegrate into society.

Let's band together and fight against human trafficking, because our collective efforts can turn North Carolina into a beacon of hope for victims and a formidable opponent against this atrocious crime.

The Big Bounce America made a visit out to Fort Liberty over the weekend, and Foxy 99's Babydoll got a chance to experience all the fun.

This is the largest bounce house in America, clocking in at a whopping  32 ft. tall at its highest point and covering an area of over 16,000 square feet! So big in fact, that it's been named as The World’s Largest Bounce House from by Guinness World Records.  Not only boasting this mega titan of bouncy fun, this year's event had the addition of the Sport Slam. The Sport Slam is a customized sports arena filled with goals, nets, hoops and balls of every size and type you could imagine.

"Calling all aspiring Ninja Warriors! At over 900 ft. in length, The Giant is one of the most fun and energetic experiences you’ll ever have. There are 50 different obstacles to overcome as you make your way from the start line to our grand finale monster slide. Whether you’re looking for some fun competition between family and friends, or you just want to bounce around the weird and colorful inflatable landscape at your own pace, The Giant is not to be missed! Also this year will be the airSPACE! airSPACE is a truly unique space-themed wonderland filled with friendly aliens, spaceships, moon craters and so much more! Not only does it have a gigantic 5-lane slide, but also a huge 25 ft. inflatable alien at the center of the action and three ball pits.