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CATS officials train to watch out for human trafficking

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Area Transit System officials said they are looking for human trafficking victims and people behind the crimes itself.

Channel 9 found out that the fight against human trafficking in Charlotte is growing.

CATS supervisors are taking classes on what to look for to help put an end to it.

"Things move too fast, and these kids, they're in danger, so the more resources that they have, the better,” said resident Dawn Brown.

North Carolina is ranked as the 10th worst state in the country for human trafficking. Charlotte has the most cases in the state.

CATS issued an official statement: “CATS is operating through many neighborhoods and interacting with the public every day. We are another set of eyes and a link to help for citizens."

Hannah Arrowood's ministry, which helps girls and young women, is one of three agencies teaching the classes to CATS employees.

"They're using public transportation to get from point A to point B. We often know that those places can be recruitment places for traffickers,” Arrowood said.

Arrowood said they not only learn what human trafficking is, but how to spot victims, and how transit plays a role.

"They were like, ‘We see this all the time. We see it, we definitely see it on the buses or specifically in the transit center,’” Arrowood said.

Sixty CATS supervisors have been trained so far.

The next step could be training drivers.

"We definitely know it can be a huge potential to be a part of the solution if that training takes place,” Arrowood said.

CATS started classes for employees this week.

Officials said they are still in the early stages and there is still more to come in their fight against human trafficking.

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