Human trafficking is often misunderstood. Many picture it as a crime that happens somewhere else — across borders or other countries. The truth is that human trafficking happens here, in our communities, along our highways, and often in plain sight.

Just this month, 37 missing children were found in Riverside County during Operation Safe Return, a coordinated effort involving the California Department of Justice, local authorities and the U.S. Marshals Service. Three of the missing children were recovered using automated license plate recognition technology, known as ALPR.

California is one of the largest national hubs for human trafficking. The scale of the problem reflects the state’s size, economic diversity and vast transportation networks that connect our cities and ports. Traffickers exploit these systems to move victims quickly and quietly, making detection extremely difficult.

This is why modern law enforcement must rely on modern tools.

ALPR has become a valuable resource in the fight against organized crime, including human trafficking. When used responsibly, ALPR allows investigators to identify vehicles connected to criminal activity, detect patterns across jurisdictions, and respond more quickly when trafficking is suspected.

Human trafficking investigations are rarely about a single incident. They are about patterns. Vehicles appear repeatedly at different locations. Routes connect seemingly unrelated sites. For labor trafficking in particular, recognizing those patterns can be the key to uncovering exploitation that would otherwise remain hidden.

Technology alone cannot rescue survivors. Cameras and databases do not replace the human work of recovery and care.

But technology creates opportunities for intervention. It can help investigators connect scattered pieces of information, transform tips into leads, and disrupt trafficking networks that operate across jurisdictions.

California has increasingly recognized that human trafficking requires a coordinated response. The state’s approach emphasizes collaboration between law enforcement, service providers and community organizations.

Investments in public safety infrastructure are an important part of that strategy. Gov. Gavin Newsom deserves recognition for supporting the deployment of hundreds of high-tech vehicle recognition cameras through a partnership with Flock Safety.

This technology must be used responsibly. Privacy concerns should never be dismissed. Clear policies governing access, strict limits on how long data can be retained, and transparent oversight are essential components of any ALPR program.

Those safeguards are not obstacles to public safety. They are the foundation of public trust.

However, debate about these tools must remain grounded in reality. Misinformation can slow or derail efforts to combat crimes that operate in the shadows. Traffickers depend on mobility. They exploit the fact that traditional investigative methods often struggle to track activity that crosses jurisdictions.

Every day that traffickers operate without disruption is another day someone is being exploited for labor or sex. Responsible technology — combined with survivor-centered services and strong oversight — can help change that.

Human trafficking strips individuals of their freedom and dignity. It thrives when systems fail to communicate and when movement goes unchecked. Tools like ALPR are not a cure-all, but they are an important part of a broader strategy to expose these crimes.

California has led the nation in confronting challenges with innovation and resolve. Human trafficking demands that same leadership today. Legislators should ensure that law enforcement has access to responsible, well-regulated technology that exposes trafficking networks in our communities. With clear safeguards and transparency, tools like ALPR can help investigators intervene sooner and protect our most vulnerable.

The real risk is allowing traffickers to continue operating unseen while we debate whether to act.

Alan Barcelona is the president of the California State Law Enforcement Association and a special agent for the California Department of Justice.