Suffolk County executive Ed Romaine was joined by federal, state and local officials as well as community providers to announce Operation Safe & Lasting Return—a groundbreaking initiative that creates an unprecedented level of collaboration among law enforcement, community partners and governments agencies to provide the safe and lasting return for Suffolk County’s missing, exploited or high-risk children to their homes and communities.
“In Suffolk County, we stand united with one goal—to fight the ongoing epidemic of trafficking and child abuse that is deeply affecting our children and their loved ones,” said Romaine. “Operation Safe & Last Return is a significant step to ensuring our law enforcement and non- profit partners have the necessary tools and latest training to prevent future kidnappings and to keep our kids at home with their families and communities.”
Operation Safe & Lasting Return coincides with the County’s recently launched Project Harmony Pilot Program overseen by the Office of the Suffolk County Executive, which develops a comprehensive system to identify, assess, treat and coordinate resources and mental health services for missing high-risk youth and their families.
Suffolk County will be the first municipality in the New York metropolitan area to implement a child advocacy program of this magnitude.
Suffolk County is one of two municipalities to receive a training grant to implement Project Harmony within a municipality, with the other being the City of Buffalo.
According to statistics provided by local law enforcement agencies, more than 350 victims in Suffolk County have been identified as victims of human trafficking with over 220 traffickers identified.
United States congressman Andrew Garbarino (NY-02) said, “Human traffickers exploit the most vulnerable among us - using coercion, violence, and deception to rob victims of their freedom and dignity. Suffolk County has made great strides in recent years to take down these predators and secure justice for victims. This new initiative reflects our county’s commitment to combating human trafficking and keeping our children safe.”
Suffolk County sheriff Errol D. Toulon Jr. said, “Human trafficking is happening in every corner of our county, targeting our most vulnerable—our young people. Through the Sheriff’s Anti-Trafficking Initiative (SATI), our jail-based human trafficking unit, we’ve identified victims, supported survivors, and helped bring traffickers to justice. Operation Safe & Lasting Return strengthens our ability to act swiftly when a child goes missing, ensuring they are not only found but given the support they need to heal and rebuild their lives. Thank you to county executive Ed Romaine and our partners for their dedication to this critical issue.”
Suffolk County presiding officer Kevin McCaffrey said, “Once again, under county executive Ed Romaine, Suffolk County is taking a lead role on an issue of critical importance and concern: missing and exploited children. Along with my colleagues in the Legislature, I am committed to do whatever we can to continue and enhance the unprecedented collaboration of government agencies, law enforcement, and community service providers to bring these children home—and keep them home.”
Suffolk County Police commissioner Kevin Catalina said, “Children are our greatest resource, and we need to do our part to ensure that they have the greatest chance of success. There are predators taking advantage of at-risk youth, trafficking them and enabling drug habits to form, and this interagency approach promotes prevention and giving children a safe space for recovery.”
OCFS deputy commissioner for Youth Development and Partnerships for Success Dr. Nina Aledort said, “Your family is Gov. Hochul’s fight, and no one needs a champion more than a family who has experienced the horror of having their child commercially sexually exploited. The New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) is committed to partnering with Suffolk County to implement these innovative approaches to finding and supporting these vulnerable children and youth. We are grateful for our allies in this critical work that will improve outcomes for the greater community.”