Charlotte County opens cold weather shelter for the homelessMan wanted in armed robbery at Bokeelia business
port charlotte Charlotte County opens cold weather shelter for the homeless The Charlotte CARE Center has opened its doors to displaced people needing shelter from the cold temperatures.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island City Council seeks applicants for official positions Marco Island City Council is recruiting qualified residents to fill Advisory Committee or Board positions.
BOKEELIA Man wanted in armed robbery at Bokeelia business Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man wanted for an armed robbery at a Bokeelia business.
Death investigation underway at Nasturtium Drive in Charlotte County The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation at Nasturtium Drive in a neighborhood just south of Punta Gorda.
cape coral Social media influencer arrested again for theft at same Cape Coral Target The Cape Coral Police Department arrested a woman accused of stealing $225 worth of items from a Target on Pine Island Road.
BONITA SPRINGS Miracle Moment: Beads of courage honor girl’s cancer fight A teenager from Bonita Springs High School experienced bone pain and bruises that was later diagnosed as leukemia.
naples Gulfshore Life honoree is a keystone architect in the Naples community Matthew Kragh, the founder of MHK Architecture, is responsible for several notable landmarks in the Naples community.
FORT MYERS BEACH More discussions happening for future of Red Coconut RV on Fort Myers Beach The Red Coconut RV park on Fort Myers Beach could turn into luxury condos. Seagate Development plans to build 137 condos with beachfront views.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Monday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a cold Monday with breezier conditions expected throughout the afternoon.
St. Matthew’s House opens shelters amid colder temperature drop Due to the colder temperature in Florida, St. Matthew’s House has opened its emergency shelters for those who need a reprieve from the chilly weather.
NAPLES Naples Zoo throws event for Golisano Children’s Hospital The Naples Zoo closed its doors to the public early Sunday and reopened only for a special group of children and their families.
Rick Scott reacts to Joe Biden’s pardon of son, Hunter President Joe Biden has pardoned his son Hunter for his felony gun and tax convictions on Sunday evening.
CLEWISTON Law enforcement presence at Clewiston home According to the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, there is a law enforcement presence at 1750 Hookers Point Road in Clewiston on Sunday afternoon.
Hendry County Sheriff’s Office to launch school safety program According to a Facebook post by the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, they are set to launch a School Zone Speed Enforcement Program on Dec. 2.
TICE Man arrested for breaking into home, stabbing woman in Tice The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man on Sunday for breaking into a home and stabbing a woman.
port charlotte Charlotte County opens cold weather shelter for the homeless The Charlotte CARE Center has opened its doors to displaced people needing shelter from the cold temperatures.
MARCO ISLAND Marco Island City Council seeks applicants for official positions Marco Island City Council is recruiting qualified residents to fill Advisory Committee or Board positions.
BOKEELIA Man wanted in armed robbery at Bokeelia business Southwest Florida Crime Stoppers is seeking information on a man wanted for an armed robbery at a Bokeelia business.
Death investigation underway at Nasturtium Drive in Charlotte County The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a death investigation at Nasturtium Drive in a neighborhood just south of Punta Gorda.
cape coral Social media influencer arrested again for theft at same Cape Coral Target The Cape Coral Police Department arrested a woman accused of stealing $225 worth of items from a Target on Pine Island Road.
BONITA SPRINGS Miracle Moment: Beads of courage honor girl’s cancer fight A teenager from Bonita Springs High School experienced bone pain and bruises that was later diagnosed as leukemia.
naples Gulfshore Life honoree is a keystone architect in the Naples community Matthew Kragh, the founder of MHK Architecture, is responsible for several notable landmarks in the Naples community.
FORT MYERS BEACH More discussions happening for future of Red Coconut RV on Fort Myers Beach The Red Coconut RV park on Fort Myers Beach could turn into luxury condos. Seagate Development plans to build 137 condos with beachfront views.
the weather authority Cool and breezy for your Monday afternoon The Weather Authority is tracking a cold Monday with breezier conditions expected throughout the afternoon.
St. Matthew’s House opens shelters amid colder temperature drop Due to the colder temperature in Florida, St. Matthew’s House has opened its emergency shelters for those who need a reprieve from the chilly weather.
NAPLES Naples Zoo throws event for Golisano Children’s Hospital The Naples Zoo closed its doors to the public early Sunday and reopened only for a special group of children and their families.
Rick Scott reacts to Joe Biden’s pardon of son, Hunter President Joe Biden has pardoned his son Hunter for his felony gun and tax convictions on Sunday evening.
CLEWISTON Law enforcement presence at Clewiston home According to the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, there is a law enforcement presence at 1750 Hookers Point Road in Clewiston on Sunday afternoon.
Hendry County Sheriff’s Office to launch school safety program According to a Facebook post by the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office, they are set to launch a School Zone Speed Enforcement Program on Dec. 2.
TICE Man arrested for breaking into home, stabbing woman in Tice The Lee County Sheriff’s Office arrested a man on Sunday for breaking into a home and stabbing a woman.
CREDIT: WINK News A shadow is cast on the Sunshine State by the dark criminal world of human trafficking. Naples Police say, in terms of human trafficking, Florida ranks third in the nation. Many refer to the illegal $150 billion-a-year industry as a form of modern-day slavery, with millions of victims. Linda Oberhaus, CEO of the Shelter for Abused Women & Children in Naples, told WINK News that Fort Myers and Naples rank among the top three cities in Florida for human trafficking hotline calls. Shockingly, the average age of victims in those cities is 15 years old. “There’s a myth that many victims of human trafficking are kidnapped. And that truly is a myth,” said Oberhaus. “Predominantly, they’re befriended. They are chosen. They’re not taken.” “They’ll hone in on whatever that victim doesn’t have. And then make every effort to meet that victim’s needs,” added Oberhaus. The traffickers inject themselves into the lives of their victims. “They’re known as Romeos,” said Oberhaus. “They just look like average people, they don’t look like monsters.” Some of these so-called Romeos are teenagers. On average, they’re sex-trafficking targets are 15-year-old girls. “As hard as it is at 15 to have open communication with your parents, it’s so very important,” said Oberhaus. It’s important to be wary of the warning signs. Some of which are force, fraud, coercion, or, “Taking a photograph or a video of a girl and threatening to make that picture public,” said Oberhaus. Another warning sign is introducing drugs to a victim. “When victims become addicted to these drugs, they become much more vulnerable to the control of that trafficker,” said Oberhaus. Oftentimes, victims don’t know they are a human trafficking target until it’s too late. “The victims literally think these traffickers are their boyfriends,” said Oberhaus. “They’re not their boyfriends at all. They’re well-known traffickers to our local law enforcement.” Oberhaus explained The Shelter has served more than 70 human trafficking victims since the organization began keeping track in 2005. If you, or someone you know, needs help call the Shelter’s hotline at 239-775-1101. You can also visit the website here. Or contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at (888) 373-7888.