The Police Advisory & Accountability Committee meeting held on June 18, 2025, in San Rafael, California, focused on the pressing issue of human trafficking, a crime that has become increasingly prevalent in the region. Sergeant Chris Duncan of the San Rafael Police Department led the discussion, drawing on his extensive experience in law enforcement to shed light on the complexities of this issue.

Duncan began by defining human trafficking as the coercion or deception of individuals into providing services or engaging in commercial sex acts. He emphasized that exploitation of minors constitutes human trafficking regardless of the presence of force or fraud. He likened human trafficking to modern-day slavery, highlighting the challenges in understanding its true extent due to its underground nature and the vulnerability of its victims.

The sergeant presented alarming statistics, noting that only about 6% of human trafficking cases are captured in police records, according to the National Institute of Justice. He explained that human trafficking is the second most profitable illegal industry in the United States, surpassed only by illegal narcotics, due to the repeated exploitation of victims.

Duncan outlined the profiles of trafficking victims, noting that they often come from vulnerable backgrounds, including those facing poverty, language barriers, or lack of immigration status. He explained that traffickers exploit these vulnerabilities, often luring victims with false promises of love or stable employment.

The discussion also delved into the types of traffickers, which include the "Romeo pimp," who uses romantic manipulation; the "gorilla pimp," who employs brute force; and the "CEO pimp," who uses deception through seemingly legitimate job offers. Duncan explained the various methods traffickers use to solicit victims, including online advertisements, street solicitation, and operations within businesses like massage parlors.

In addressing local concerns, Duncan noted that San Rafael has been identified as a "target-rich" environment for traffickers, with victims often encountered in hotels and the Canal neighborhood. He highlighted the demographic patterns of victims and traffickers in the area, noting that victims are typically females of various ethnic backgrounds, while traffickers are predominantly black men.

The meeting concluded with a call to action for law enforcement to focus on separating victims from traffickers and providing support services to help victims escape their situations. Duncan's presentation underscored the urgent need for community awareness and collaboration to combat human trafficking effectively in San Rafael and beyond.