Portland police arrested 44 people during targeted human trafficking patrols along Northeast 82nd Avenue and Northeast Sandy Boulevard since June, KPTV reported.
The Portland Police Bureau launched the missions in response to ongoing community complaints and reported activity tied directly to sex trafficking in those commercial corridors. Law enforcement agencies deployed specialized personnel to address the street-level operations, focusing resources on high-traffic transit routes in the city’s east and central districts.
The coordinated enforcement effort brought together multiple local, state, and federal entities. Participating groups included the bureau’s Human Trafficking Unit, East and Central precincts, local detectives, victim advocates, the Multnomah and Washington county sheriff’s offices, and the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. Parole and probation officers, Port of Portland police, the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, Safety Compass, and the Providence S.A.F.E. Center also joined the patrols.
Press Release: Human Trafficking Missions Result in Criminal Charges for 44 Sex Buyers Link: https://t.co/EkQwyRPzto pic.twitter.com/sfak0SfIP9
Police reported that the 44 individuals arrested faced allegations of commercial sexual solicitation and unlawful prostitution procurement. Authorities also booked a few suspects on outstanding warrants, including unspecified felony warrants, while one additional person was accused of driving under the influence during the operation.
Officers Offer Advocacy Services to People Leaving Prostitution
Alongside the enforcement sweeps, the Human Trafficking Unit conducted a separate six-month mission running from April to October. During this period, officers made 555 contacts with individuals believed to be selling sex on the streets.
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Out of those hundreds of contacts, police offered advocacy services and resources to 139 people to help them leave prostitution. Officers also gathered intelligence on possible buyers, active traffickers, and broader ongoing investigations in the area.
The Portland Police Bureau stated it will maintain its partnership with Safety Compass and its own Victim Services Unit to continue street outreach along the corridor.
