STROUDSBURG, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Communities across Northeastern Pennsylvania want to make sure human trafficking victims don't fall through the cracks.
The organization Safe Monroe held its Red Sand Project Ceremony on Wednesday on Courthouse Square in Stroudsburg.
Cracks in the sidewalk were filled with bright red sand.
The ceremony aims to raise awareness and give victims a voice.
Experts say this area is especially prone to human trafficking because of the easy "on-and-off access" to the interstate highway system.
Governor Shapiro talks public safety in White Haven"It's incredibly important to raise awareness for the human trafficking that's going on all around us all the time. We like to pretend that it's not happening in our communities and all around us, but it is. So that's why it's important to raise the awareness so that we can all watch and see and if we see something we can say something and maybe save a life," said Safe Monroe Prevention and Outreach Specialist Marissa Buatti.
The Red Sand Project is held this month since January is Human Trafficking Awareness Month.