May 7, 2024

Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor today announced the launch of our Stop Abuse, Fight Exploitation Initiative (S.A.F.E. Initiative), a new strategy in our multipronged work to fight human trafficking in our community.

The Broward State Attorney’s Office S.A.F.E. Initiative aims to reduce human trafficking, prevent victims from being recruited, and shut down illicit massage businesses by closing illegal businesses and disrupting profit.

Broward State Attorney Harold F. Pryor said: “The S.A.F.E. Initiative is an effective way to help landlords, local government, and businesses to recognize, report, or evict illicit businesses that are engaging in human trafficking. If we work together, we can shine a light on those who seek to harm vulnerable people and we can shut down this evil exploitation.”

Illicit massage businesses are storefronts that appear to be legitimate but instead facilitate commercial sex, human and labor trafficking. They are often located in plazas and strip malls alongside legitimate businesses such as restaurants, daycares, and grocery stores. They can affect public safety and local economies.

This initiative focuses on mobilizing and partnering with landlords, local government, law enforcement, and communities to identify these types of businesses and make it difficult for them to continue to operate in Broward County.

S.A.F.E. involves bringing together prosecutors, law enforcement, code enforcement, local government, regulatory agencies, homeowners, landlords, business owners and tenants to be on the lookout for signs of human trafficking in local businesses. Once suspected illicit massage businesses are identified, all of these groups will work in a coordinated fashion to eradicate the criminal activity.

Prosecutors have already begun reaching out to Broward municipalities and law enforcement, as well as business and community groups.

For more information or to report suspected illicit massage businesses, please email safeinitiative@browardsao.com or call our hotline at 954-831-7487.

The Initiative includes:

A Landlord Engagement Program, which involves alerting landlords about illegal activity occurring on their property and inviting them to work with the State Attorney’s Office and the local police agency to address the issue. The goals include informing landlords about possible illegal activity on their property, educating landlords about their rights and responsibilities as commercial landlords, and motivating landlords to terminate or not renew leases for tenants.

A Regulatory Engagement Program that partners law enforcement with state agencies to share intelligence and collaborate efforts. Regulatory approaches can be used to critically review suspects’ licenses and enforce penalties in situations where a landlord is unresponsive or uncooperative.

The State Attorney’s Office will partner with municipalities to file nuisance abatement civil actions against uncooperative or unresponsive landlords and tenants.

Law enforcement agencies and the State Attorney’s Office are committed to pursuing criminal charges when there is sufficient evidence.

Red flags to help identify these types of businesses include:  

• The permit or license held by the business is for a different type of business.
• Operating at unusual hours, compared to nearby businesses.
• Storefront is curtained or blocked by dark-tinted windows.
• No receptionist/reception area.
• Cameras inside and outside are positioned to see entrants rather than for security purposes.
• Location is kept locked and opened only when customers are at the door.
• Employer-provided housing or employees living in business.
• ATM on site.