"The U.S. Department of Justice through the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) provides grant funding to combat human trafficking, but the monies expired last month. Applications to renew funding are not available presently. The grant covered funding for advocates, training for trauma-informed interviewing and overtime, hampers the county's ability to fund operations during the sporting events, according to attorney Bryan Slater, who oversees human trafficking prosecutors in the District Attorney's office."
""We do not currently have dedicated funding to cover overtime for investigations or extended operations that would be needed," Slater said at the Santa Clara County Human Trafficking Commission meeting last month. "Our heavy reliance on this grant funding jeopardizes continuity of staffing ... it creates a turnover at critical moments such as now." Santa Clara has two major sporting events happening in the first half of 2026, including Super Bowl 60 in February and FIFA World Cup starting in June at the Levi's Stadium."
Federal Office for Victims of Crime grant funding to combat human trafficking expired last month and renewal applications are not currently available. The grant had funded advocates, trauma‑informed interviewing training, and overtime, creating a funding gap for investigations and extended operations during major events. The District Attorney's human trafficking prosecutors lack dedicated overtime funding, jeopardizing staffing continuity and increasing turnover at critical moments. Santa Clara will host Super Bowl 60 in February 2026, FIFA World Cup matches beginning in June 2026 at Levi's Stadium, and the NCAA West Regional in March at the SAP Center. Local coalitions cite concerns about officer burnout and limited emergency housing as hotels fill with tourists, while noting prior coordination experience during Super Bowl 2016 and survivor‑informed law enforcement protocols.
Read at San Jose Spotlight
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