January 24, 2020
Media Contacts:
Scott Peterson, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 202-277-9412
Andrea Nunez, Manager, Office of Human Trafficking Prevention, Department of Community Resources and Services, 410-313-6558
County Executive Ball and others to fill pavement cracks with red sand to honor victims and survivors of human trafficking
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball to join representatives from HopeWorks and the County’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention and Police Department on Monday, January 27 at 11:30 a.m., to fill pavement cracks outside the County’s George Howard Building with red sand to honor victims and survivors and raise awareness about human trafficking.
“Human trafficking is a crime that requires more than just good effort and intention to combat,” said Ball. “We will continue to search for every possible opportunity to deploy our resources and to activate the compassion of our residents. In order for Howard County to be the best county for all - we cannot let our most vulnerable residents slip through the cracks."
Between 2014 through 2018, the County’s Police Department handled a total of 93 cases involving human trafficking with 29 arrests and 58 identified victims. Due to the hidden nature of this crime, these cases reflect only a small portion of the total prevalence of human trafficking in Howard County.
The County’s “Red Sand” ceremony is being held as part of the Red Sand Project. Established in 2014 by New York City-based experiential artist Molly Gochman, the Red Sand Project seeks to bring attention to a crime that has impacted more than 40.3 million people worldwide. The pouring of red sand into the cracks of sidewalks is intended to “represent people who fall through the cracks of our social, economic and political systems, or those of our personal consciousness” according to project organizers.
WHO:
Calvin Ball, Howard County Executive
Jennifer Pollitt-Hill, HopeWorks Executive Director
Samantha Samuel-Nakka, HopeWorks Anti-Trafficking Director
WHAT:
“Red Sand” Ceremony to Raise Awareness about Human Trafficking
WHEN:
Monday, January 27, 11:30 a.m.
WHERE:
George Howard Building Courtyard
3430 Court House, Ellicott City