A total of nine businesses in Methuen suspected of human trafficking have now been closed, according to city officials. Officials said five of those businesses were closed by the city, the other four were suddenly abandoned.
The manager of one of those businesses, the Beauty Garden Spa, is facing charges. She’s accused of allowing sexual acts to be performed for a fee.
Methuen Mayor D.J. Beauregard has directed a citywide assessment of suspected locations, saying human trafficking will not be tolerated.
“The message we have sent in declaring war on human trafficking is clear. Methuen is not a safe harbor for these criminal enterprises,” Mayor Beauregard said Thursday.
Beauregard, Police Chief Scott McNamara, and Director of Health, Human Services and Inspections Caeli Tegan Zampach are also announced the formation of the Methuen Human Trafficking Task Force, with the goal of holding people accountable.
“This task force marks the start of what will be a relentless campaign to drive these heinous operations out of the city of methuen for good,” said Beauregard.
City leaders are urging residents to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity they see.
Beth Foote did so when she suspected an operation in her neighborhood, and helped police shut it down.
“Until we stop these guys from coming to our neighborhoods and thinking that nobody’s gonna say anything, it’s not gonna stop,” Foote said.
A survivor of the sex trade who now works as a human trafficking advocate said she’s encouraged to see the actions Methuen is taking.
“I think that deters a lot of people which in turn slowers people getting trafficked and sucked into this,” said Audra Doody, founder of the Safe Exit Initiative. “My pinpoint is that people didn’t buy me, and the demand is the driver of the sex trade and human trafficking.”
Want more insights? Join Working Title - our career elevating newsletter and get the future of work delivered weekly.
