TravelCenters joins Homeland Security anti-trafficking effort

WESTLAKE, Ohio (Dec. 17, 2014) — TravelCenters of America L.L.C. (TA), operator of the TA and Petro Stopping Centers travel center brands, is partnering with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Blue Campaign, which combats human trafficking.

“Groups whose principal concern is putting an end to human trafficking in the U.S. are becoming increasingly aware of the advantages of working with key infrastructure elements like airports and travel centers to get their important message out,” said Tom O'Brien, TA's president and CEO.

“A company like TravelCenters of America, with more than 250 sites that almost literally blanket the U.S. interstate highway system, can help. Our employees and customers, particularly those hard-working men and women in the trucking industry, have been extremely supportive of these efforts, underway since 2011 with the group Truckers Against Trafficking. The employees, customers and both of the groups we are working with, the DHS Blue Campaign and Truckers Against Trafficking, recognize that our locations, just off highway exits nationwide, can be key vantage points from which to be on the lookout for and report suspicious activity.

“Our expanded effort…allows the professional truck driver community and our team to utilize the DHS Blue Campaign's resources, including further training modules for our employees and information for employees and customers about this issue,”

The DHS Blue Campaign, working in collaboration with law enforcement, government, non-governmental and private

organizations, strives to protect the basic right of freedom and to bring those who exploit human lives to justice, according to a TA press release. The goal of the campaign is to raise public awareness about human trafficking, leveraging partnerships to educate the public to recognize human trafficking and report suspected human trafficking, the truck stop operator said.

To report suspicious human trafficking activity or get help from federal law enforcement, call 1-866-347-2423 or submit a tip online on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) website. More information about the DHS Blue Campaign is available on its website.

Westlake-based TA operates 251 travel centers in 43 states and Canada.