On Saturday, the Central Florida Human Trafficking Task Force held its 5th Annual Red Sand Project Event at the Kissimmee Civic Center, drawing attention to the pressing issue of human trafficking in the community. The event saw a significant turnout, with attendees including Kissimmee Police, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, State Attorney Monique Worrell, Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa, Kissimmee Commissioner Jeanette Martinez, and numerous other community leaders.
The Red Sand Project, invites participants to fill sidewalk cracks with red sand, symbolizing those who “fall through the cracks” of society’s systems. This powerful visual representation highlights the often-overlooked victims of human trafficking, a tragic reality in our community and across the nation. Speaking during the event were Central Florida Human Trafficking Task Fource Co-Chair Olivia Littleton, First Baptist of Kissimmee Senior Pastor Tim Wilder, Interim Kissimmee Police Chief Robert Anzueto, Circuit 9 State Attorney Monique Worrell, Major Fred Hinderman from the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, and Keynote Speaker Christina Santiago.
During the event, Kissimmee Mayor Jackie Espinosa emphasized the importance of community involvement in combating human trafficking: “We must stand together to protect the most vulnerable among us. This event is a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in ending human trafficking.”
Florida consistently ranks among the top states in the U.S. for human trafficking reports, typically coming in third nationwide after California and Texas. The state’s demographics, economy, and tourism industry create vulnerabilities that traffickers exploit. Major cities like Orlando, Tampa, and Miami, as well as Florida’s extensive hospitality and agricultural sectors, contribute to this troubling statistic…