There were some eye-opening statistics offered last month during a forum on poverty hosted by the League of Women Voters of Chautauqua County. During the presentation, hosted via Zoom, it was noted this county’s 18.2% rate is higher than the state average.

At times, this leads to even more serious troubles. “We’re one of the areas most affected with sex trafficking right now,” said Leanna Luka-Conley, deputy commissioner for Adult, Child & Family Services for Chautauqua County. “It really has to center around our poverty and drug use, not to mention some of the labor trafficking happening in our area as well.”

That is unsettling and alarming. While the cities of Jamestown and Dunkirk have the highest rate of poverty in the county — 30% and 25% — other areas that many would consider well off also are suffering. The rate in the village of Fredonia is not much different than that of its neighbor at 24%.

While solutions are hard to find, the League, county and Chautauqua Opportunities Inc. deserve credit for at least exploring this issue. Our many local governments — and school districts — also need to have awareness on this important issue that too often gets buried by the mundane issues.