Violence Prevention Pilot: International Blvd and Human Trafficking
Summary
In support of broader Citywide violence prevention efforts led by City leadership, including the Oakland Police Department (OPD), the Department of Violence Prevention (DVP), and District 2 City Councilmember Charlene Wang, the Oakland Department of Transportation (OakDOT) is piloting street design changes intended to deter dangerous driving behaviors associated with human trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation on International Boulevard in the area between 9th and 16th Avenues. This effort also requires close coordination among other City departments and external agencies, including the Oakland Fire Department (OFD) and the Alameda-Contra Costa Transit District (AC Transit).
Background Context
This section of International Blvd experiences a disproportionate level of violence that is linked to the commercial sex market. The current street design makes it easy for people involved in illegal activity to drive away quickly and provides hidden areas for buyers to purchase sex. Securing this section of the corridor requires multi-departmental intervention to address the factors enabling criminal exploitation.
Plans & Logistics
During the week of September 21, 2026 (weather conditions permitting), OakDOT, in coordination with Councilmember Charlene Wang, OPD, and OFD, will install temporary barricades to restrict driver access between International Blvd and the north side of 9th, 10th, and 11th Avenues. As detailed in Councilmember Charlene Wang’s July 2026 report to the Oakland City Council, the goals of this pilot are to:
Disrupt buyer access: Eliminate convenient entry points for sex buyers who use residential side streets to solicit and engage in illegal activity.
Improve officer visibility: Enhance the line of sight for law enforcement patrols, as vetted by OPD, to increase the deterrence of criminal behavior.
Reduce violent crime: Specifically, decreasing the incidents of shootings and robberies in the surrounding area.
Designed to protect our most vulnerable residents in the area and restore safe and accessible use of these roads, the installation will consist of temporary, water-filled barricades, as well as signage and pavement markings as shown in the Concept Plan(PDF, 114KB). The location and design of these improvements were determined in consultation with residents in the community, OPD, OFD, and AC Transit.
These temporary closures are part of a six-month pilot that will be evaluated and may be extended based on the evaluation findings. For more information on the need for this pilot, Council action, and legal requirements for this closure to address criminal activity, please see the report to Oakland City Council and associated legislation. Evaluation will include before and after data on traffic volumes, speeds, vehicle turning movements, emergency response times, and crime data, including arrests and interventions, as well as feedback from community stakeholders.
FAQ
Funding: These improvements are funded by the District 2 Council office's discretionary traffic safety funds. Costs are estimated at approximately $100,000 and include installation and equipment costs as well as administrative costs, including evaluation for the six-month Pilot.
Outreach and engagement: As described in the above-referenced report to Oakland City Council, Councilmember Charlene Wang hosted multiple briefings and meetings with community members and business owners to refine the pilot scope. The District 2 Council office is the lead for stakeholder engagement, and OakDOT is in a supporting role for this pilot. OakDOT, along with representatives from OPD and other agencies, including AC Transit and OFD, participated in community meetings when invited by the Council office.
Feedback: If you have feedback on this pilot, please submit it to Oak311 by calling or reporting online as a Traffic Safety (non-emergency) issue. This feedback will be routed to the OakDOT project team.
For more information about Oakland’s work to end human trafficking, including sex trafficking, and how to report illegal activity, please see the online resources below:
Councilmember Wang's Initiatives Addressing Human Trafficking, Exploitation and Sex Trafficking in Oakland
City of Oakland: Putting an End to Sex Trafficking in Oakland