HOUSTON – The city of Houston has announced its first-ever plan to combat human trafficking in the area.
The Channel 2 Investigates team has reported on human trafficking, which has long been a problem in Houston, and now Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner said the city is rolling out a comprehensive plan to fight it.
The mayor unveiled the effort Monday morning at City Hall.
The backbone of the project is a partnership with government agencies and private businesses to stop not just sex trafficking, but labor trafficking.
"The one thing I want to emphasize, not just because the Super Bowl (is coming), it's something and it needs to be continuous based on Houston's geographical location and where we are," Turner said.
Among the companies participating is Yellow Cab. Taxi drivers for the company will be texted fliers for missing people believed to be victims of human trafficking.
Turner was joined at City Hall by Minal Davis, special advisor to the mayor on human trafficking; Brad Deuster, the president of Deuster; and Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson.