It’s almost Thanksgiving and law enforcement are celebrating by cracking down on drunken drivers and those without seat belts.

If more folks are safe this holiday season, that’s something we can all be thankful for.

I reported last week that the Lawrence Police Department would be participating in the statewide “Kansas Thanksgiving Enforcement Campaign” funded by the Kansas Department of Transportation. LPD spokesman Sgt. Trent McKinley said officers will be “focus(ing) on identifying impaired drivers and those not using seat belts and child restraint devices.”

Well, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and the Kansas Highway Patrol said that starting today, they are joining the enforcement campaign.

So, don’t let that Turkey get to you. Be a smart driver this week, and buckle up.

Pilgrims were always "buckled" so when you travel for Thanksgiving, make sure you're buckled too. #ClickItOrTicket pic.twitter.com/DdTM9esQaS

— GA Highway Safety (@gohsgeorgia) November 20, 2015

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Speaking of holiday travels, here are a few safety tips that the Kansas Department of Transportation offered up for those who plan to venture out on a road trip for their turkey dinners:

• Before you go, check that your vehicle is in proper condition to be taking a long trip. You’ll want to make sure the tire tread and pressure are good to go, as well as your vehicle’s fluid levels and mechanical equipment.

• Just in case something goes awry, it’s a good idea to have an emergency kit. KDOT suggests including bottled water, blankets, nonperishable food, phone chargers and a flashlight with batteries.

• Allow plenty of time to get to where you’re going. If you hit the road last minute, you’re more prone to speed and put yourself – and others – in danger.

• Check road conditions before you set out on your way. You can do this for Kansas routes by calling 511 or visit kandrive.org. This is particularly important during inclement weather, KDOT said.

And if you find yourself in a roadside emergency, you can dial 47 on your phone for the Kansas Highway Patrol of 582 while on the Kansas Turnpike to ask for someone to come and assist you.
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The Willow Domestic Violence Center will be leading a community discussion Tuesday on human trafficking in Lawrence.

We’ve seen glimpses of the realities of human trafficking this year when a Lawrence couple were arrested after a months-long investigation into a Lawrence massage parlor that turned out to allegedly be forcing women to perform sexual activities, according to Douglas County prosecutors.

But Kristine Chapman with the Willow said there’s more than just that one case that’s going on in our community; they may just not be getting reported. The Willow provided services to 42 survivors of human trafficking the past year.

“It’s not that this is a new problem, it’s just that up until our human trafficking program started two years ago, no one was asking these questions of potential victims,” Chapman said. “Human trafficking is often hidden in plain sight.”

Chapman said the discussion Tuesday will “help people find practical ways to engage in the ending of human trafficking in Lawrence and Douglas County.”

“A lot of people still do not believe that human trafficking is something that happens in the Midwest, let alone Lawrence, Kansas,” Chapman said. “We know it is a reality for too many of our neighbors, coworkers and students.”

So, how do we stop human trafficking in our community? Chapman said the first step is education, which will happen at the library event Tuesday.

“The purpose of the discussion is to bring awareness to the issue of human trafficking in our community,” Chapman said. “Human trafficking hides in plain sight, so education and awareness are critical to help ending this modern day form of slavery.”

The discussion will take place at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St., in meeting room B.

If you can’t make it Tuesday, the Willow will be hosting another discussion on Dec. 17 at 7 p.m., also at the library.