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The City of Tulsa, once named the “Safest City in
America,” has been plagued by circumstances, which have led to the deterioration of a once safe community and transformed
the community into one of the most dangerous communities in the nation. The City of Tulsa (per capita) exceeds the national
average in every crime category, violent ant property. In 2004, Tulsa was named the second most dangerous city in America,
based on the violent crime rates (per capita) and comparing those crimes to other major metropolitan areas. This comparison
shows Tulsa having a higher murder rate than Los Angeles and New York City.
Several factors have led to the deterioration of this once
“safe” community. Beginning in the early 2000's, citizens of Tulsa began recognizing the upward trend in the rise
of crime. The rise in crime became so apparent insurance companies began raising monthly deductibles for citizens living in
the City of Tulsa. Many citizens began relocating to suburbs of Tulsa, such as Owasso, Jenks, and Bixby. In those suburban
areas, they found lower crime, more effective police protection and services, and better schools. However, those suburban
communities were predominately residential, and the citizens that relocated into those suburban areas were still dependent
on the City of Tulsa for shopping and entertainment.
In 2003, business minded people and financial investors
soon realized the financial advantage of duplicating shopping and entertainment centers, such as the ones found in Tulsa,
in those suburban communities. Restaurants, retail stores, national merchandise chains, and entertainment centers began being
developed in each of these suburbs, and the end result was that the citizens that relocated to the suburban areas no longer
needed to come to Tulsa, with the exception of work.
As a result, millions of dollars of tax revenue were lost
and the City of Tulsa was forced to take action to compensate for the loss of this revenue. One such reaction was the elimination
of police academies. While this decision proved to financial eliminate a burden to the City of Tulsa, the city council and
Mayor did not take into consideration the attrition rate among officers, or realize the circumstances of Tulsa's thriving
economy twenty-five years ago would greatly impact a city in the middle of the worse criminal crisis of its history.
Between the years of 1975 and 1985, the City of Tulsa enjoyed
the growth of an economical infrastructure, as well as population, due to the “oil boom” during that period of
time. Because of that overwhelming growth in this time period, many police officers were hired, and during this period of
time, Tulsa became known as the “Safest City in America.”
While police officers have the option to retire after twenty
years, many choose a second option and work twenty-five years. “Option B,” as it is called, also makes provisions
for officers that elect to work thirty years. Many of the officers hired during the “oil boom” period in Tulsa's
history were now at their desired level for retirement and chose to do so. The decision to suspend police academies, and the
implementation of that concept, occurred simultaneously to the periods of time when many officers became eligible for retirement.
The officers eligible for retirement elected to do so, realizing the financial condition the City of Tulsa was preparing to
experience.
Despite the high crime, the metropolitan area of Tulsa continues
to grow (estimated at approximately 1,035,643) and is classified as the 55th largest metropolitan community in
the United States. While per capita Tulsa's crime rates exceed the national level, as well as several communities much larger,
the true crime rate indicates that Tulsa (although has a fewer number in population) actually has a higher crime rate than
communities larger, such as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Denver, Colorado, and Las Vegas, Nevada. These figures are not based
on per capita, but rather actual numbers. Despite an overwhelming crime rate, Tulsa continues to grow based on the volume
of established businesses that continue to operate, grow, recruit and hire, despite a recession felt on a national level.
Tulsa has had little effect from the national recession, and has been fortunate in that fact.
It appears that local politicians have attempted to resolve
the issues addressed, through utilizing risky financial tactics that have proven to be a disaster, and have ultimately led
to further complicate the rising crime rate, and declining number of police officers. For the first time in the history of
the Tulsa Police Department, administrators were forced to create “minimum manpower levels,” which simply means
the fewest number of police officers needed to respond to calls for service.
While the Police Department, and individual officers, struggled
to effectively provide a service for the community, city officials aggressively implemented their financial strategy to save
the troubled community. These tactics indicate that city officials believed that by investing tax dollars into projects, Tulsa's
attraction and appearance would improve, and therefore entice businesses to relocate to Tulsa, and rejuvenate the failing
tax revenue.
The financial tactics included the use of $7.1 million dollars
in the “Great Plains Scandal,” which entailed several Tulsa businessmen using tax money to finance an airline
scheme, which had no chance for success. In addition, they were able to push a $450 million dollar bond issue for “road
and street repairs,” which was actually used to construct a downtown ballpark for Tulsa's double A professional baseball
team. An additional $2.8 million dollars was spent to “re-beautify” Tulsa's Riverparks, and the investment of
$178 million dollars of tax dollars to the “BOK Center,” an indoor arena primarily used to promote concerts. The
return on that investment shows that it will take over one-hundred years for the City of Tulsa to regain the tax money used
on this project alone.
Amidst the City leader's “shopping spree,” Tulsa's
City Hall was relocated to the “One Technology Building.” The purchase of the New City Hall cost taxpayers $52.25
million dollars and an additional $14.85 million to move from the previous City Hall into the new building.
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During the process of the “revitalization” of
Tulsa, a study by an independent consulting firm suggested that Tulsa's 808 officer force was 90 officers fewer than needed
to adequately perform the duties they are tasked with. In an effort to rally public support, the Tulsa Police Department and
Fraternal Order of Police Lodge began publicizing the fact that some calls for service were not being responded to, and because
of the shortage in manpower, officers were taking four to five hours to respond to “911” calls, even when lives
were in jeopardy. This attempt to gain public support failed, and by openly publicizing the deficiencies within the police
department, crime soared – virtually immediately.
On February 1st, 2010, one hundred fifty five
(155) police officers were laid off, The Tulsa Police Force is now comprised
of 653 sworn officers (the fewest officers serving in over twenty years). In addition, the officers whom were laid off were
the “newest” officers hired. Despite being the “newest” officers, and acknowledging the previous suspension
in academies, many of these officers had five and six years on the department.
Several policy changes also re-enforce a practice the police department has been forced
to utilize for the past five years. The police department is no longer “proactive,” meaning that they attempt
to stop crime before it occurs. Instead, the police department is now “reactive,” which means officers simply
arrive to the scene of a crime, for reporting purposes only. For example, police dispatched to a burglary call no longer attempt
to obtain fingerprints of the suspect, interview the victim to ascertain if they have noticed anyone unusual in the area,
or recently hired a contractor for home repairs, or interview neighbors. Instead, the officer writes a simple report listing
the victims' information, the point of entry, and an inventory of what property was taken. This reporting procedure (as understood
by the officers as well as the public) is for insurance purposes, rather than attempting to solve the crime.
Much like Entrapanuers, criminals have identified the opportunities in Tulsa, to further their
criminal endeavors. “Home invasions,” armed robberies, and other violent crimes have increased significantly.
In 2009, Tulsa saw the most homicides occur in the history of the city. Many organized and sophisticated criminal organizations
have identified the opportunities the City of Tulsa present, and are taking advantage of the circumstances. Well organized
“street gangs,” such as the Hispanic MS-13, who have not previously had representation in Tulsa, are now enterprising
on the criminal opportunities available. The established gangs (such as the “Bloods” and “Crips”)
are now warring over territory with not only one another, but the new gangs such as MS-13 as well.
Because of the geographical location of Tulsa, and the easy access to travel anywhere in the
country by use of a well established highway system, the mafia has always had a strong presence in Tulsa. The city is a “hub,”
between traditional mafia operations in Dallas and Chicago, and has now become a “hub” for the street gangs between
Los Angeles, California and Miami, Florida.
With the layoff of virtually 20% of an already understaffed police department,
well organized criminal organizations have already began developing plans to capitalize on the opportunities available. Our
staff has already been in communication with State, city, and police leaders and offered our assistance in countering some
of these measures, but the "old demon (politics)" have already proven that doing the right thing is going to be a challenge.
If we assume too much responsibility why hire officers back? The proverbial "why buy the cow when the milk is free," takes
effect.
So tonight, as you relax in your home and sleep comfortably in your bed, realize this
- you are able to do so because there are rough men and women outside your door, men and women of character, honor and courage,
who are ready to fight and commit violence, if need be, on your behalf. Heros willing to sacrifice their own lives to protect
the men, women and children of a community whose city leaders put more of a value on pretentious things, such as ballparks
and concert arenas, than providing these heros with the resources to help them save lives - their own lives, each others lives,
innocent citizens lives, and your own family's lives.
And if years of mismanagment of money, and poor decisions have put these fewer officers
in more harm's way - by depriving them of the resources they need to stay healthy and alive to protect you - then give them
the most powerful resource anyone can give them. Give them your prayers. Pray for their safety, pray that they are able to
maintain an exceptional amount of bravery, facing more criminals who are more violent with fewer officers. Pray for their
families who will feel the effects of the added stress on their loved one. And pray for a resolution. Pray for the day when
city officials and leaders put so much of a value on their lives and ultimately yours, that these fewer officers are able
to safely bring a city in trouble back to a safe community.
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