Sinema calls for federal help in combating human trafficking during Super Bowl

PHOENIX — Arizona Congresswoman Kyrsten Sinema is calling for federal help in combating human trafficking when the Super Bowl comes to Arizona next year.

Sinema sent letters to the departments of Justice and Homeland Security last week asking for support in combating a prevalent and serious crime that often sees a surge during the big game.

“We know that human trafficking is a multi-billion dollar a year industry in the United States of America and that is often intensified around major international events like the Super Bowl,” Sinema said.

Sinema’s goal to involve the DOJ and DHS is in the hope of uniting agencies from the state, local and federal level to combat prostitution, she said.

“While we do have a robust task force established by the governor and we do have a good state a local coordination effort, we’d like to see expanded coordination by DHS and the DOJ to put more boots on the ground and more eyes here in Arizona to seek out, identified and aggressively prosecute these human trafficking rings that exist in Arizona,” she said.

Sinema said the federal agencies will be able to provide additional resources that might not otherwise be available at the state and local level.

“The real significance really comes with resources, expertise and knowledge,” she said. “With their ability to communicate back and forth across agencies, their ability to share information and their ability to seek out and utilize information at a level that may be different than, although complimentary with, the state and local levels.”

Sinema said it could take a few weeks to learn whether the DHS or DOJ will decide to provide additional help.