Officials warn of human trafficking around Omaha during College World Series

Hundreds of thousands of people will come to Omaha for the College World Series. Among the crowd, federal agents said there was human trafficking and the city was a hot spot.

Authorities say the event itself is safe and they are not worried about a kidnapping. What they are trying to prevent is traffickers from exploiting the adults and children who are already their victims.

“No doubt. A lot of sexual services are purchased in the Omaha area,” said Special Agent Chrissy Worster of the Department of Homeland Security Investigations.

On Wednesday, law enforcement and nonprofit organizations helped raise awareness ahead of the games. They want the public to recognize the signs of trafficking and know how to help survivors.

Stephanie Olson, CEO and founder of the Set Me Free Project, said more than 80 percent of trafficking victims are U.S. citizens and red flags about trafficking can be seen everywhere.

“Hotels, restaurants, bars, and actually salons, everyone can witness human trafficking, and they do. And it's happening, it's happening in our community,” Olson said.

Over the past several years, Worster has helped identify 44 juvenile victims in the Omaha area alone. And she helped convict 18 traffickers.

“Every day you run your business, every day you check into a hotel, every day you go to a restaurant, you see children and adults being trafficked,” she said.

Olson and Worster want everyone to be alert to potential red flags: people with lots of cash, a controlling or dominating relationship — especially with an older person — and access to keys to the 'hotel.

And the traffic is not limited to low-end hotels.

“Sex trafficking happens all the time in high-level hotels; it happens in mid-level hotels all over our communities,” Worster said.

She says writing a report now can help solve investigations months from now.

“If it's in your gut, if you feel like something is wrong, just say something. We're happy to resolve it. Law enforcement is happy to resolve it,” she said .

If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the Nebraska Human Trafficking Hotline at 833 PLS-LOOK or (833) 7570-5665.

You can also text “HELP” to 233733 for the National Human Trafficking Hotline.

Or you can contact local and federal law enforcement.

Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7