Prosecutors recruit hotel employees in crime fight

ROSEVILLE, Minn. (AP) — Police, prosecutors and others are asking hotel employees in the Twin Cities to look for signs of child sex trafficking.

Ramsey County Attorney John Choi (choy) says trafficking usually ends up in a hotel or motel, so desk clerks and housekeepers could be instrumental in cracking down on the crime.

Choi, law enforcement officials, child advocates and hotel industry representatives are promoting an initiative that trains hotel employees to look for clues that rooms are being used to prostitute a child.

Training booklets and instructional videos will help hotel employees learn about what to look for. Guests with no luggage or identification or cash for rooms are just a few of the clues. The St. Paul Pioneer Press (http://tinyurl.com/9mtbd7e) reports Choi estimates Ramsey County sees seven to 10 child sex trafficking cases a year.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.