NAMPA, Idaho — Nearly two-thirds of Idaho's human trafficking cases are coming from Nampa, according to the 2026 report from the Idaho Attorney General's Office. The city reported 48 of the state's 78 cases, prompting local officials to address both the scope of the problem and their response efforts.
Newly elected Mayor Rick Hogaboam said while the high numbers point to a significant issue, they also reflect the city's commitment to combating trafficking through improved reporting and enforcement.
"My plea with all people is to not engage in behavior that's feeding this beast in our community — and it needs to stop," Hogaboam said.
The mayor emphasized that partnerships between the city's anti-trafficking task force and Idaho State Police are helping bring more cases to light.
"So that makes up over half of all statewide reporting, but that reflects our commitment as well as resources," Hogaboam added.
WATCH: Interview with Mayor Rick Hogaboam and the Nampa Family Justice Center about what’s driving the numbers
The multi-agency task force launched with funding from a federal grant to strengthen enforcement, victim services, and training across the Treasure Valley. City officials said better coordination between agencies has led to more accurate and comprehensive data collection.
Hogaboam stressed the importance of a dual approach to addressing trafficking.
"There needs to be a willingness from law enforcement agencies to go after the abusers, but you also need to provide support for the victims, and unless you're doing both in tandem, you're not going to be effective," explained Hogaboam.
The Nampa Family Justice Center has been supporting survivors for 20 years through what it calls a "wraparound" approach, connecting survivors with housing, counseling, legal advocacy, and other critical services. In the past year alone, the center served 106 human trafficking victims.
RELATED | Three people charged for alleged prostitution, human trafficking operation at Eagle massage parlor
"And over the years, there's been an increase," said Executive Director Jeannie Stromeyer. "We are seeing some youth, but the majority that we're seeing are adults."
Many cases involve sex trafficking and often start in situations of vulnerability, including domestic violence, according to Stromeyer. She said community awareness can make a significant difference in identifying and addressing trafficking.
"Education is half the battle. As we learn and understand, then what happens is we're identifying, and then we can actually deal with that in the appropriate ways," Stromeyer said.
For more resources and information about identifying and reporting human trafficking, visit the Nampa Family Justice Center website.
For Canyon County happenings, news, and more— join our Facebook Group: 2C Neighborhood News - Nampa, Caldwell, Middleton
This story was initially reported by a journalist and has been, in part, converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
