Denial and Deflection: Sheriff Norris Uses False Equivalence to Downplay Trafficking in Kootenai

Sheriff Bob Norris Continues To Deny Human Trafficking Exists In Kootenai County

Near the end of his 2024 re-election campaign, Sheriff Bob Norris began deflecting questions about human trafficking in Kootenai County by using a classic straw man argument. Rather than addressing the issue directly, Norris dismissed the existence of trafficking altogether, then pivoted to talking about online predators, a separate, though related, concern. His opponent, Dan Wilson, directly challenged this narrative, stating it is statistically impossible for human trafficking not to be occurring in Kootenai County. Wilson cited both national data and firsthand accounts from local residents who have witnessed or experienced signs of trafficking firsthand.

Human Trafficking in Kootenai County

Sheriff Bob Norris has been in the business of denying that human trafficking exists in Kootenai County. Dan and Dawna Wilson were present at a Kootenai County Sheriff’s town hall on November 7, 2023, where a question was submitted on a note card by a citizen. County Commissioner Bruce Mattare who co-hosted the Q&A portion of the town hall, presented this question to Sheriff Bob Norris:

“Do we have an increase or have you seen an increase in human trafficking in Kootenai County, and if so, how are you (unintelligible)?”

Norris responds, “Well, uh, we have not seen any early warning indicators of that here at all. We, we just have not. Uh um, it’s on our radar. We believe that it’s uh, very very important.”

In Norris’s continued answer regarding human trafficking he then deflects to activity that’s starting to “pop up” at some local massage parlors stating that women could be ask risk when they’re being coerced into giving money back to someone who is controlling them and their wages. He states that he believes this is a possibility. He says, “but I haven’t seen any of the juvenile trafficking.” Then said, “Spokane had a couple of cases, but we just don’t, we don’t, we haven’t seen it yet. We haven’t seen any early warning indicators of that.”

This entire town hall including the Q&A and Norris’s responses can be viewed at CdA Freedom Watch. The human trafficking question and answer can be found at approximately the 53:00 mark in this video.

The Sheriff Gets Defensive Then Deflects When Asked About Sex Trafficking In Kootenai County

On August 28, 2024 at a Coffee With Sheriff Robert “Bob” Norris event in Spirit Lake, Norris was asked by Quincy Franklin, known as the BC Preacher on his socials:

“Is there a problem with sex trafficking here in Kootenai County?”

Norris then deflects by physically stepping in toward Quincy Franklin and says, “Well, you tell me. You know sex, you you can arrest somebody for sex trafficking. Have you seen it?” Franklin then says to Norris, “I’m asking you.” Norris says, “I’m asking you.” Mark Lewis a retired 33-year Lieutenant from Bellevue PD can then be heard challenging Norris by saying, “That’s your job not his.” Bob Norris, now visibly rattled says, “Well, am I answering him or am I answering you?”

Sheriff Bob Norris Presents His Straw Man Argument When Asked About Human Trafficking In Kootenai County

The issue of human trafficking has been a long-time concern for residents of Kootenai County. It’s only logical that it would occur in a county this size, which is adjacent to larger cities, and has a main highway running through it. Norris has spent years denying that it’s a problem, and when pressed by the Wilson campaign created his false equivalence answer by linking online predators to human trafficking as if they’re the same. This downplays the structure of trafficking networks while allowing him to sound proactive.

Sheriff Bob Norris is using strategic deflection and rhetorical redirection by refusing to acknowledge the existence of human trafficking, then pivoting to an adjacent but separate issue, in this case, online predators. This allows Norris to appear concerned while evading accountability.

The opinions expressed by contributing authors or Op-Ed submissions to the Liberty Without Compromise Network do not necessarily reflect those of the founders of LWC, the hosts of the Liberty Without Compromise broadcast, or Dan Wilson for Kootenai County Sheriff. It is LWC's position to offer a forum for the marketplace of ideas, discussion, and at times, opposing viewpoints. With this in mind, the comment section contained in this website is open for all ideas and viewpoints provided the discussion remain productive and respectful of others.