MERIDIAN, Idaho — January marks National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, and the Idaho State Police (ISP) has teamed up with the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance for a five-day Human Trafficking Awareness Initiative. According to the Idaho State Police, this nationwide effort, beginning today and ending on Friday, aims to raise awareness of human trafficking across Idaho’s transportation corridors.
Captain Jason Bailey from the Commercial Vehicle Safety Division highlighted the importance of this initiative.
“As commercial vehicle enforcement professionals, we see the road from a unique perspective,” Bailey said. “This initiative is designed to equip drivers and carriers with the ability to recognize potential signs of trafficking and to report those concerns.”
The focus is on educating drivers and community members along Idaho’s roadways due to the reliance of traffickers on highways and commercial routes. Throughout 2025, ISP Commercial Vehicle Safety specialists have been trained to recognize trafficking indicators and will share this knowledge this week.
Data from the Idaho Office of the Attorney General shows the challenges in identifying and prosecuting trafficking cases. Between 2020 and 2024, Idaho recorded 39 trafficking-related convictions, seven of which were felonies. However, only two arrests were reflected in Uniform Crime Reporting data, highlighting the gap between trafficking activity and confirmed criminal cases.
The National Human Trafficking Hotline remains a crucial resource for reporting tips and connecting victims with services. In 2024, the hotline received 72 contacts from Idaho, identifying 32 potential trafficking cases involving 49 victims related to both sex and labor trafficking.
