The Stark County Sheriff’s Office is expanding its Human Trafficking Task Force, bringing more local police departments into a countywide effort to identify trafficking cases, support victims and improve communication between agencies.
Sheriff Eric Weisburn announced the expansion Friday, saying five additional departments have formally joined the task force: Alliance, Louisville, Massillon, North Canton and Uniontown police.
The task force was originally created through a partnership involving the Stark County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson Township Police and the Ohio Attorney General’s Ohio Organized Crime Investigations Commission.
With the new agencies on board, officials say investigators will be able to share information more quickly, coordinate cases across jurisdictional lines and provide a more consistent, victim-centered response.
Three other departments: Canal Fulton, Canton and Hartville police are also supporting the effort through the Human Trafficking Liaison Officer Program. The specialized training is provided by the state’s organized crime commission and is designed to help officers recognize possible trafficking, communicate with the task force and assist with investigations.
Weisburn said the expansion reflects a shared commitment among law enforcement agencies across Stark County to protect vulnerable residents and help trafficking survivors.
Officials say combining resources, training and investigative expertise will strengthen the county’s ability to prevent exploitation and respond to trafficking cases in a coordinated way.
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