Safe Alliance pitches regional collaboration; commission agrees to non-binding partnerships and advances mural campaign

Kristen Bracy, director of the SAFE Alliance of Tampa Bay, presented to the commission on May 28 about the alliance'9s role as a convener of faith-based and secular anti-trafficking organizations across the Tampa Bay region. Bracy described quarterly convenings, strategic planning work with the University of South Florida TIP Lab, and efforts to build capacity in trauma-informed behavioral health and medical care.

"The SAFE Alliance is essentially a convener," Bracy said, stressing collaboration among partners that include survivor-led groups, law enforcement and service providers. She encouraged the Hillsborough County commission to partner with the Alliance on coordination and strategic initiatives.

The commission also heard survivor testimony from Nancy Hernandez (Ministerio Mujeres), who described 15 years of community-based rescue and restoration work and urged better funding and coordination for survivor services. Commissioners expressed appreciation for survivor leadership and requested that presentation materials be distributed to members.

On staff updates, members learned that Tampa Mayor Jane Castor and Tampa City Council signed a maintenance agreement supporting a public-awareness mural near the Marion Street bus station. Staff said the Florida Department of Transportation and the city are coordinating installation and maintenance and that the muralist planned to begin work in September, pending weather.

Finally, commissioners voted to seek non-binding, nonfinancial partnership status with the SAFE Alliance and the Free Network to strengthen coordination and give the county commission a presence on regional coalition platforms. The motion to pursue partnership status passed with no recorded opposition.

Staff will distribute SAFE Alliance and survivor presentation materials and continue coordinating the public-awareness campaign and mural installation with FDOT and city partners.