Letter: Human trafficking, crime increases should be part of Mid-States Corridor study
While the Mid-States Corridor (MSC) project office is no longer accepting public comments for Tier 2, I still think it’s important to share our concerns with the community.
Please read this article about Vincennes and all of Southern Indiana being a hot spot for human trafficking. Residents of Dubois County don’t want a corridor that is going to make it easier to commit these heinous crimes in our communities.
“Many of Indiana’s human trafficking cases would have traveled through Knox County en route, primarily, to or from larger cities like Indianapolis and Gary.
Bush explains that many smaller communities, ones like Vincennes, become stopover cities for traffickers as they move victims from one city or state to another.
“There is this corridor between the interstates, which is how traffickers travel,” she said, identifying Knox County’s proximity to Interstates 64 and 70.”
Source of quote:
https://www.tmnews.com/story/news/2021/01/31/knox-county-part-of-indianas-corridor-for-human-trafficking/116015892/
In the Tier 1 public comments, my comments about roads contributing to human trafficking were excluded because no “evidence or data” was provided.
I’m sorry but the project office is being paid to do a study of the environmental impact of a road. If they’re including puffed-up potential economic development, they should do their due diligence and report on how a new road will also contribute to negative outcomes in the area. Whatever economic development and new population they’re purporting to add to our community as a positive thing, they should also be providing research on the negative environmental impacts of future developments, whether that’s additional access roads, businesses and real estate developers building on current farmland, etc. Don’t just paint the “pretty” picture so that this project seems positive for our area. Paint the true picture, some of which is not good for our area.
Negative outcomes also include factors such as increased crime. This should be included in the Tier 2 EIS research and data.
Don’t allow this so-called “necessary” road to become a future Indiana corridor for human traffickers. While you paint such a positive picture of how connectivity is going to be great for the community, please also document on the well reported and researched negative outcomes of increased connectivity resulting in increased crime, particularly human trafficking.
Easier connectivity” leads to criminal activity from other larger cities. Include the research on how easy access to major interstates and airports increases human trafficking – don’t require the public to do your job in their comments. Go talk to law enforcement (local and FBI), talk to nonprofits doing work to stop human trafficking, talk to mayors or other leaders in cities such as Vincennes or other stopover cities. Do YOUR job!
INDOT, you’re well aware of how transportation is linked to human trafficking, whether by auto, semi trucks, or airplanes. Do your research and be a part of the solution; don’t be a taxpayer party adding to the problem bringing harm to children and many others!
Concerned Dubois County Citizen,
Marisa Durcholz
