Securing Our Community: New Gates Combat Human Trafficking in Bissonnet Corridor

Commissioner Lesley Briones in partnership with the City of Houston and the Houston Police Department (HPD) highlight the positive impacts of the new gates within the Bissonnet Corridor. The Bissonnet Corridor—a known hub for human trafficking—is very close to elementary schools and numerous small businesses. In February 2024, the Precinct 4 team completed the installation of six metal gates within the Bissonnet Corridor. The six gates are closed daily from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. to help combat human trafficking and other criminal activity in the area. This initiative began in late 2023, when HPD Westside Command reached out for support to replace the movable barricades along the Corridor. The Precinct 4 team designed, constructed, and funded the gates within weeks of receiving permits. The gates were placed at six key intersections within the Corridor: Bissonnet at Centre Parkway, Sugar Branch Drive at Centre Parkway, Centre Parkway at US-69, Plainfield Street at US-69, Alberene Drive at US-69, and Plainfield Street at Bissonnet. The newly installed gates saved taxpayers money on construction costs and an additional $60,000 a month in HPD overtime costs associated with the set-up, breakdown and monitoring of temporary barricades.