CREST HAVEN – Freeholders approved a resolution Jan. 14 that designated January as Human Trafficking Awareness Month in the county.
It notes that human trafficking, especially sex trafficking, disproportionately affects women and girls, as well as other highly vulnerable populations, including the economically vulnerable, persons with disabilities and runaway youth, with disproportionate vulnerability for youth who identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender.
“There are limited studies in the United States on the profile of traffickers and their unique pattern(s) of perpetration” and “an urgent need exists to collect data … to determine a global estimate of victims, and explore its causes and psychological consequences despite the enormous challenges involved in conducting such research,” it states.
It also notes that prevention programs addressing human trafficking and re-trafficking are needed for those in health care, in schools and other community venues to educate the public, and that “an effort will be put forth to disseminate research findings to the general public, professionals working with at-risk populations and professionals engaged in research about consumers, traffickers and trafficked persons to raise awareness.”
During public comment, Violet Rixey, vice chair, Cape May County Women’s Commission, said it’s important that the commission and freeholder board “support each other in our endeavors to bring awareness to the human trafficking crimes. We, together, and alongside our brothers and sisters in our community, will call out this injustice, and keep a watchful eye to protect the vulnerable and the victimized.
“Once broken, it’s our hope that through rehabilitation, these same women will become advocates for others, finally knowing their own worth, and regaining their own voice,” she continued.
Freeholder E. Marie Hayes, liaison to the Women’s Commission, said, “We want to think that this isn’t going on in our little county. It’s going on all over the world, and we need to know that we have to recognize that, and we have to be there to help those victims.”
In other action, the board:
* Approved a $55,640 contract with non-profit Jersey Cape Diagnostic Training and Opportunity Center to provide recyclable materials pick-up services by handicapped individuals for one year.
* Authorized a change order for $44,334 to CFG Health Systems, LLC for implementing a medically assisted treatment program at the Cape May County Correctional Facility, commencing Jan. 1, 2020, for a term of six months.
* Named, to the county Construction Board of Appeals, Cornelius Byrne Jr., chair; Michael Morano, vice chair; and Chris Penza, secretary.
* Appointed Allison Hansen as public agency compliance officer (PACO) for 2020.
* Appointed William Cripps as county fire coordinator, and Ronald McGowen, Jerome Inderwise, Jay Newman and William Mulligan as deputy fire coordinators, with terms from Jan. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2021.
* Established the reimbursable mileage rate of 57.5 cents per mile for 2020 when a personal vehicle is used for county business.
* Accepted a $37,365 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice for the State Criminal Alien Assistance Program for fiscal year 2018, and, in a separate resolution, accepted a $6,174 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice for same for fiscal year 2019.
* Accepted a $749,447 grant from the state Department of Children and Families for the construction of a Child Advocacy Center, located at 372 Court House-South Dennis Rd., Court House.
* Accepted $314,535 in grant awards from the state Juvenile Justice Commission for state community partnership and family court appropriations.
* Appointed and reappointed members to the Local Citizens Transportation Advisory Committee. MaryAnn Matthews-Mason, Frank Roach, Stephanie Knox-Piratsky and Anne Garrison were appointed to one-year terms. John Birkmeyer, Krista Fitzsimons, Lenora Savich, Joan Flynn and BobbiJo Taylor were appointed to two-year terms. Raymond DiMarino, Cathy Ierovante, Sharon Mellor, Geraldine Norton and Joyce Vera Thompson were appointed to three-year terms.
* Reappointed Miriam Kauterman to the Cape May County Park Advisory Board. Her term will expire Dec. 31, 2022.
* Authorized the county’s recertification application to the U.S. Coast Guard for official designation as a ‘Coast Guard Community.’
* Awarded a $3 million contract to South State, Inc., of Bridgeton, for resurfacing of Corson’s Tavern Road in Dennis and Upper townships.
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