JAMESTOWN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – Human trafficking is a growing issue in Jamestown, and the Jamestown Area Chamber of Commerce is working to help educate the local motel owners and managers.

The chamber worked with Lt. LeRoy Gross and Detective Dale Ackland of the Jamestown Police Department to organize this meeting to educate and inform the local motels about this topic and also to inform them about how other illegal activities such as credit card fraud, NSF checks, drug use, burglary, and other issues are affecting their businesses and the community. Melissa Williams, Human Trafficking Coordinator with YouthWorks of Fargo, was invited to attend as a speaker, but was unable to do so do to the weather conditions.

The motels represented at this initial meeting included the Quality Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Comfort Inn, Gladstone Inn and Suites, and My Place Hotel. All of the motels in the community were invited to this important meeting and will be encouraged to attend any future meetings.

“Lt. Gross and Det. Ackland stressed the need for each of the motels to be communicating with each other when they are aware of a less than desirable customer, whether they suspect human trafficking, drug usage, theft or any other potentially illegal activity,” the chamber stated “They spoke about how this affects the victims, and the community. They also encouraged the motels to communicate with the local law enforcement if they notice any suspected illegal activity.”

Those in attendance felt there is a need for meeting again, for more information, and to develop a network so each motel would feel comfortable sharing information regarding potential customers who may be suspected of illegal activities.

The chamber will work with this group to help facilitate additional educational and informative meetings to help connect them.

Information provided by Jamestown Chamber of Commerce.