State launches task force on human trafficking in Alaska

State officials are launching a new task force on human trafficking in Alaska.

The Department of Labor approached Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz’s administration about exploring new enforcement strategies for combating statewide problems with labor and sex trafficking.

The task force meets for the first time Monday in Anchorage, with partners from law enforcement, non-governmental and tribal entities all at the table.

Though there are no details yet about funding, the Department of Labor is contributing resources. Neither commissioner Heidi Drygas or Berkowitz were available for comment, but an official from the mayor’s administration wrote in a release that the task force’s goal is enhancing legal and regulatory tools to reduce human trafficking across the state.

The group will include partners from the FBI, Department of Public Safety, Anchorage Police Department, Covenant House and the YWCA, among others.

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