One nationwide organization is attempting to stop child trafficking for good.
This story from our news partners at WAND TV.
Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.) is comprised of special operations units that lead coordinated identification and extraction efforts.
O.U.R is committed to helping law enforcement agencies go after child predators. President of O.U.R. Operations John Lines says over 300,000 children are trafficked online every year.
“Child sex trafficking is a surge throughout the world,” Lines says. “As I was driving through Illinois on my way from St. Louis, I realized what a peaceful beautiful place this is. Children should be safe everywhere.”
O.U.R gave Illinois law enforcement a grant to help end trafficking.
“This partnership is critical because we want to reach as many domestic law enforcement agencies as possible,” Lines says. “The reality is they have budget shortfalls and don’t have the equipment.”
According to Lines, this grant will help over 250 officers in Illinois get the proper training.
“We want law enforcement officers in Illinois to have everything they need to go after those people who prey on children,” Lines says