It was exciting to film an interview with Philadelphia Police Commissioner Ross not long after he was sworn in, which happened to be the day after Jim Keeney officially took over as Philadelphia’s Mayor. Commissioner Ross served 26 years on the police force prior to his promotion, including stints in Internal Affairs, the Major Crimes Unit and Olney’s 35th District.
His emphasis on the community’s involvement in making improvements and partnering with community leaders and others was clearly a focus during our interview with the Commissioner as he spoke about the priority he is placing on addressing human trafficking crimes in the city. He shared with us that one of the first things he did was meet with juvenile court Judge Dumas (who has a special program to identify and help trafficking victims who end up in her court), Dr. Ellyn Waller of Enon Tabernacle Baptist Church (who has been working with the Salvation Army on opening up an aftercare home in Montgomery County and whose ministry provides counseling and services to victim survivors) and others. He also met with Mayor Keeney to discuss his ideas and told us that the Mayor is passionate about this issue and supportive of his efforts to make this a priority. Commissioner Ross and the Philadelphia Police have also formed a partnership with the Salvation Army (through a grant awarded to the Salvation Army) to provide training and other services that will strengthen the Police Force’s approach to dealing with this crime and issue.
The Commissioner also established a new task force that is working to develop and implement innovative anti-trafficking strategies, which has already received media attention. According to a special news report by Walt Hunter, formerly with CBS Philadelphia: “Philadelphia Police are launching a special task force to battle the growing problem of Human Traffickers preying on children in Philadelphia….‘So many people are victimized by this, it’s scary,’ [stated] Police Commissioner Richard Ross….The Commissioner and community leaders told Hunter the average age for victims first being lured into the sex trade in the city is between 12 and 15. ‘You’re hearing 12 years old, my God, it’s absolutely astounding but most people, they’re just oblivious to it,’ the Commissioner explained. But even before they find the 1st victim, arrest the 1st predator, this landmark Task Force has an urgent warning: Human Traffickers are destroying an ever-growing number of young lives her, lives these dedicated police and community members vow they will protect.”
It was a privilege to interview the Commissioner and interesting to learn more about his plans to address human trafficking in Philadelphia. It will be fascinating to see how the Commissioner and community leaders (many with whom we have also filmed interviews) come together to implement these strategies in a city that has borne the scars of and victories in the fight for freedom dating back to the American Revolutionary War and the abolitionism movement of the 1800s.
