San Mateo County hosts major briefing to prepare agencies and businesses for trafficking risks in 2026

San Mateo County, California – As the Bay Area prepares to host the Super Bowl and FIFA World Cup in 2026, officials in San Mateo County are working harder than ever to stop human trafficking before the crowds arrive. County leaders brought together partners from the local, state, and federal levels for a wide-ranging briefing on detection, coordination, and victim support.

More than 200 people attended the three-hour workshop, which included law enforcement officers, prosecutors, federal agents, nonprofit groups, victim advocates, and people from the hospitality and transportation sectors. The idea was to exchange information early and make sure that authorities and businesses are ready to act fast if trafficking activity goes up around big events.

County Supervisor Jackie Speier, who co-hosted the meeting with Supervisor Ray Mueller, underlined the need of being alert and taking responsibility as a group.

“We want to make sure that everyone understands that if you see something, it’s important to say something,” Speier said. “If you’ve had the regrettable opportunity to speak with a human trafficking victim, you know how repugnant it is. You know how destructive it is, and you know that it could have been stopped.”

Mueller described human trafficking as a crime that often remains hidden, fueled by silence and anonymity. He encouraged participants to use the coming months to expand training and improve information sharing.

“I learned about women who were promised a better future, brought here, locked in an apartment and trafficked,” Mueller said. “Those women are on my mind today because we know that in the coming weeks and months, people will be brought here for that purpose.”

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Speakers made it clear that trafficking isn’t just about sexual exploitation; it also covers abuse of workers in fields like construction, agriculture, and domestic work. People who are victims are often tricked into taking jobs that don’t exist and then kept in line with threats, isolation, or debt.

U.S. Attorney Craig Missakian stressed how important it is for many agencies and sectors to work together. He said that working together with law enforcement, corporations, organizations, and faith-based groups is very important for finding trafficking networks and helping victims.

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Officials said that San Mateo County’s location near three international airports, significant transit routes, and a large tourism sector makes it more vulnerable during big events and all year long. Participants went over signs of trafficking, how to report it, and services for victims, while advocates stressed the need for long-term housing, legal help, and care that takes trauma into account.

County officials emphasized that the meeting was not just a one-time response, but the beginning of more long-term efforts to stop trafficking.

Learn more and find resources at https://www.smcgov.org/da/human-trafficking-prevention-and-enforcement-initiative