When Detective Sergeant Kevin Quinter entered into a career in law enforcement with the Wyomissing Police Department in 2008 he was a husband and father of three young children. Law enforcement provided an opportunity to make a secure living in order to support his family while protecting and serving in the community he called home. Seventeen years later, he is devoting his time cultivating what he considers to be a life mission – preventing and eradicating child trafficking.
At what point in your career did this effort begin? “I think that I have to go back to 2010-2011 when a mother reached out to me. Her daughter was involved with a guy who had her believing he cared about her while he had her meet with men to have sex in hotels and got her hooked-on drugs. I spent two days trying to set a fake date to help rescue the daughter and get her back to her family. It was shocking to see what was going on right in my community and I felt that I would be able to make a difference and rescue these young women.”
In 2017 Sergeant Quinter became a detective task force officer with Homeland Security Investigations. Being cross sworn federally allowed him to expand his jurisdiction to help fight crime more effectively. “After becoming a detective, I worked with a similar situation where a woman was being held captive, mentally abused and forced to accept dates and money. I got involved and thought to myself, ‘Is this really going on? This could happen to any young person, and feel I can actually do something about it and make a difference.’ A lot of young people and adult women, boys and girls are pulled into these situations. I became involved with the Berks County Human Trafficking Task Force where I met Brad Ortenzi, ZOE International Eastern USA Regional Director. It was after this meeting that the issue of child trafficking really blossomed into a life’s work outside of my job.”
Kevin’s passion outside of work and his family is cycling. “When Brad came to Berks Human Trafficking, he mentioned the Race Across America from the west to the east coast, held to raise funds and awareness for the campaign against child trafficking. Discovering that we had this common interest and an opportunity to participate in this type of race, which is at the pinnacle for a cycling enthusiast, I was awestruck! Anytime you can use a hobby and take something you are already doing and using it to do good, it is a blessing.”
The funds raised through the Race Across America go directly to on-the-ground efforts by ZOE International to fight human trafficking. The cross-country race is grueling, and not for the faint of heart. “We are warriors on the ground, riding for something more than ourselves. We have names of kids who have been victims written on our arms. These kids have gone through so much; a reminder to us that we can endure a little discomfort for them.”
Our interview was held a day after Kevin returned home from this year’s bike ride in the third week of June. “The race never stops. It started on Saturday at 3pm and went on until Friday at 5pm. We do live media interviews on the way to explain what we are riding for. We have people who handle the media and social media, so the awareness is live streamed, and it garners a lot of attention. The race is held on the same days every year, and the towns know that the racers are coming through. It is a big deal for small rural towns. I believe that the impact of the live stream this year really was very effective because people followed it throughout the race. It was a very valuable tool for raising awareness. We won the race a day ahead of the second-place team who were less experienced with the terrain of the race.”
How would you encourage people to get involved? “Not everyone can be on the front lines. I am lucky enough to know people who are passionate about opening doors for the training provided and funded by Zoe on the issue of child trafficking. We ask the public to be an extra set of eyes, and to also pray for the workers involved in this line of work. It is hard to be involved with. Start with your family and create an awareness about the dangers out there.”
Sergeant Quinter also participates in a Law Enforcement United cycling event held May 10th-12th each year. He is the PA Chapter President of this organization which raises funds and supports families of fallen officers. “It is an organization that is near and dear to my heart. I began riding in 2016. There are five divisions that start from different areas and converge in Washington DC to honor officers killed in the line of duty.”
For more information on education programs for schools and organizations about the awareness and prevention of human trafficking or to support fundraising efforts please visit ZOE International Eastern USA gozoe.org.
To support the families of fallen law enforcement officers visit Law Enforcement United – Pennsylvania – leunited.org.