NYPD busts 90 creeps, rescues dozens of survivors during World Cup human trafficking crackdown - New York Post

What the report says

The New York Post reported that the NYPD carried out a large anti-human-trafficking operation tied to the FIFA World Cup, resulting in 89 arrests and the recovery of 43 people authorities described as survivors. Inspector Gary Marcus, commanding officer of the department’s Special Victims Unit, told reporters Thursday that seven of those recovered across New York City’s five boroughs were minors.

According to the Post, the effort took place before and during the 39-day tournament, which included 104 matches across North America and eight games at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. NYPD investigators monitored online activity, watched large public gatherings such as soccer watch parties, and checked on people with prior sex-trafficking or sex-offense convictions. Marcus said some of those individuals were found to be out of compliance and were arrested.

The department said it conducted 87 operations, some of which involved years of planning. One case cited by the Post involved a minor allegedly being trafficked from a hotel room; police said they intercepted online communications, located the child and arrested the person accused of trafficking her.

The Post also reported that NYPD officials worked with advocacy partners so survivors could be connected with support services immediately after police intervention, including during hotel-based operations. Kathleen Baer, the NYPD assistant commissioner for Gender-Based Violence Policy and Planning, urged members of the public to report suspicious situations, saying authorities would assess tips even when it is unclear whether trafficking is occurring.