Director of Forward Human Trafficking Task Force supports Hand for prosecutor

August 1, 2024

Letters to the editor are opinion editorials submitted by readers. Letters to the editor are a long tradition in American journalism. The views and opinions of the writer do not necessarily reflect those of Mason County Press, its staff or its parent company. For more information, please refer to MCP’s Letter to the Editor Policy.

Dear Editor,

As the final days leading up to the Mason County prosecutor election draw near, some may still be deliberating over which candidate is best suited for the role due to the exceptional quality of those running. In such moments, it can be beneficial to consider the insights and experiences of others, helping to clarify the qualities you seek in a candidate and ultimately aiding in your decision-making. I would like to offer the perspective of an agency that heavily relies on having the most capable prosecutor.

As the director of a nonprofit organization dedicated to combating human trafficking both here locally and across the nation, I have traveled extensively across various states in search of missing, exploited, and trafficked children, as well as the offenders and traffickers associated with these cases. Through my interactions with diverse law enforcement and agencies nationwide, I have come to recognize that our local law enforcement and agencies in Mason County stand out as exemplary, particularly our current interim prosecutor, Beth Hand.

Over recent years, we have successfully established a joint task force with local agencies in Mason County, focusing not only on advocating for victims but also on preventing these crimes from occurring in the first place. This endeavor has required significant time and commitment from all participants. Beth Hand’s involvement in developing effective strategies has been a crucial element in this fight. While I am unable to disclose all the initiatives we are undertaking to combat trafficking and the predators in Mason County, I can state that we would not be making significant progress in safeguarding our children without her. She is tenacious in her battle against offenders, ensuring they face the full weight of the law while maintaining her attention on the victims and the justice they deserve.

Having stood alongside victims and fought for them in the courtroom, I can assure you that much occurs behind the scenes and within individual cases that often goes unreported in local news outlets. This can sometimes obscure a complete understanding of judicial processes and the outcomes of certain cases. From my perspective, as we strive to protect our children and community, a successful task force requires a diverse group of individuals driving this fight forward, and our prosecutor is integral to that effort.

Regrettably, I live outside the confines of Mason County and am unable to cast a vote in this election, but that does not diminish my commitment to ensure we remain vigilant in our fight. Therefore, I am optimistic that Mason County will take the action I cannot and cast their votes for Beth Hand as Mason County prosecutor so that the work that has begun in keeping our children and community safe will continue.

She truly is what her campaign is all about; Tried. Tested. Trusted.

Sincerely,

Sherry Motcheck

Forward Human Trafficking Task Force-Director

Shelby

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