TPD Blog

Police chief promises arrests

By DEBBIE BLOSSOM World Staff Writer
11/29/2007

But officers enforcing HB 1804 won't engage in racial profiling, he says at a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce talk.

Anyone stopped by Tulsa police for a traffic violation who can't provide legitimate identification and proof of insurance can expect to be detained, Police Chief Ron Palmer said Wednesday.

It doesn't matter where you were born or the color of your skin.

"If you have a broken taillight, an improper tag or are driving on the wrong side of the road, we will arrest you. It's that simple," Palmer said Wednesday during a presentation to the Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "And we will do that in any segment of the community."

Jorge Figueroa isn't a chamber member, but he said his concerns about a family member who will be deported to Mexico at the end of the week prompted his attendance at Palmer's speech.

Figueroa, like many Hispanics in Tulsa, is upset and confused about the ramifications of House Bill 1804, the immigration reform law that went into effect Nov. 1.

Palmer said neither the state Attorney General's Office nor the Tulsa County District Attorney's Office had issued guidelines on how to implement the new law, but he is working to alleviate fear and is prepared to investigate any complaints against the Police Department about discriminatory practices.

He acknowledged residents' concerns about being deported to their home countries if they are detained by law enforcement officers.

"We are not engaged in racial profiling," he said, noting that tales to the contrary are circulating online and in the Hispanic community.

Things have changed in the five years since his first stint as police chief, Palmer said.

"What struck me most was I came back to a Hispanic community that was different than when I left -- a community that is suspicious of the Police Department."

Yet there are common goals, Palmer said, adding, "Neither the Police Department nor Hispanic residents want the criminal element here."

Debbie Blossom 581-8387
debbie.blossom@tulsaworld.com

Copyright Tulsa World 2007. All rights reserved. Format differs from original publication.

Funeral Services for Detective Jimmy Smith Announced

Funeral services for Detective Jimmy Smith will be held on Thursday, November 29th, 10:00 hours at Sandusky Avenue Christian Church, 1101 South Sandusky, Tulsa. The interment service will be held at the Woodlawn Cemetary, in Claremore, OK.

Officers are encouraged to say farewell to Jimmy and to celebrate the 31 years of dedicated service he gave to the Department and community.  He will be sorely missed by all.

Veteran Tulsa detective dies at 53

By Staff Reports, Tulsa World
11/29/2007

CLAREMORE -- Jimmy Leroy Smith, a longtime Tulsa police detective, died Saturday after battling leukemia. He was 53.

A funeral service will begin at 10 a.m. Thursday at Sandusky Avenue Christian Church in Tulsa under the direction of Floral Haven Funeral Home of Broken Arrow. A graveside service will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Claremore.

Smith was born in Borger, Texas, and grew up in Bartlesville, where he graduated from high school in 1972.

He received a bachelor's degree from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah in 1976.

Smith had worked for the Tulsa Police Department for 31 years, the last eight as a detective with the Major Crimes Unit.

He was diagnosed May 31 with acute lymphoblastic leukemia complicated by Philadelphia chromosome.

Because of the rarity of the disease, Smith was part of a trial study of an experimental drug at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Care Center in Hous ton.

He was honored when Oct. 4 was declared Jim Smith Day in Tulsa in recognition of his 31 years of service to the city of Tulsa.

Smith is survived by his wife, Debbie Smith of Claremore; a daughter, Jennifer Salman of Claremore; a son, Curtis Coloff of Claremore; his parents, Leroy and Cordelia Smith of Bartlesville; two sisters, Roseann Munn of Houston and Engla Hamilton of Bartlesville; and five grandchildren.

PC Power and Tulsa Police Department announce Fifth Annual North Pole Computer Project

November 26, 2007

A local non-profit organization that provides refurbished computers to at-risk children, PC Power, the Tulsa Police Department, and area law enforcement agencies, have again partnered to deliver over 60 computers to children in the Tulsa area.   During the week before Christmas, officers from Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa County Sheriff's Office, Broken Arrow,  Sapulpa, Owasso, and Sand Springs Police Department will begin work on the Fifth Annual North Pole Computer Project. These computers will be used by approximately 200 children.

PC Power was founded by retired Tulsa Police Officer Glenn DeWeese, who began building computers for needy children as a Christmas project in 2003. The original Computers for Kids project evolved into a year-round operation that will provide computers for over 750 families this year.  While there are officers who donate time throughout the year, all of the work of identifying recipients, wrapping and delivering the Christmas computers is done by police officers who work in the schools.

The 2007 North Pole Computer Project will culminate on December 21 when the police officers and volunteers will assemble at Tulsa's Fraternal Order of Police lodge to gift wrap the computers and load them in police cars for delivery. FOP President Darin Filak has endorsed the project and cites it as "another example of the many ways our officers are actively serving their community."

PC Power and their law enforcement partners ask for the community's help in continuing this important project. They will hold a computer drop-off on Saturday, December 1st, 10 am until 2 pm, in the west parking lot of CityPlex, 81st and Lewis.  They need computers that are Pentium IV class or better. The minimum specifications can be found on PC Power's web site. Machines will be wiped and re-imaged very quickly using mass production techniques developed by PC Power's technicians. PC Power will also accept educational software and cash donations that go towards Microsoft licensing fees and the purchase of speakers and modems.

More information about the North Pole Computer Project and PC Power can be found on the web at www.TulsaPCPower.org

Safe City officers will deck the malls

By NICOLE MARSHALL World Staff Writer
11/23/2007

Task force members will help stop criminals who are out to take advantage of holiday shoppers.

In its nearly three months of existence, the Tulsa Police Department’s Safe City Initiative has netted at least 235 arrests and 31 guns.

On Wednesday, the officers assigned to the initiative began working with other Tulsa Police Department units in stepped-up holiday patrols, Capt. Matt Kirkland said.

The Police Department began the Safe City Initiative on Aug. 26 in an effort to reduce violent crime throughout the city by targeting known violent offenders and locations with a history of violent crime.

The department has decided to continue the initiative through the end of the year.

Safe City officers will have a visible presence in shopping areas by providing foot patrols and marked cars in high-traffic areas.

In addition, officers in plain clothes will watch for robbers, burglars and car thieves at targeted locations.

They also will use decoy cars to entice people who are casing parking lots for cars to steal or burglarize. If someone tries to get into the vehicles, officers will arrest them in the act.

Kirkland said officers will be working in shopping areas almost the entire time the malls are open.

Meanwhile, violent criminals continue to be the unit’s top targets.

In the month of October alone, Safe City officers made 71 arrests resulting in 53 felony charges and 18 misdemeanor charges. The officers also recovered 18 guns, records show.

Of the 71 people who were arrested, 18 are classified as career criminals. Fifteen were arrested for firearms-related charges, and 11 were arrested on robbery-related charges.

“Last week, we caught an armed robber we had been looking for for a while,” Kirkland said.

One robbery warrant and several other warrants had been issued for the juvenile’s arrest, and he had been named as a suspect in a shooting.

Other statistics show that since the unit was originated, the Safe City officers have located and arrested eight suspects for robbery, 13 for burglary- related charges, four for shooting with an intent to kill and one for homicide.

Nicole Marshall 581-8459
nicole.marshall@tulsaworld.com

By the numbers

Arrests: 235

Guns confiscated: 31

Cash seized: $8,900

Search warrants served: 5

Felony charges filed: 152

Misdemeanors filed: 95

By NICOLE MARSHALL World Staff Writer

Copyright Tulsa World 2007. All Rights Reserved. Format differs from original publication.

Surfing for a steal

Sal Bucchere has logged on to a booming business selling items on eBay for people all around green country. He says, “We really, really do our homework."

That's because he has too. Sgt. Greg Mathews is with the Tulsa Police Burglary unit. He says, "When you're on the internet buying property you don't know who you are dealing with."

Many thieves are also using the World Wide Web to sell their stolen goods. Sgt. Tim Stadler with cyber crimes says, "What we try to tell people is buyer beware."

Some of the hottest items online are computers. Sgt. Stadler says, "A lot of organizations put Lojack on their computer. If it's stolen it basically rings back to the owner and lets the company know where it’s at." That could mean trouble for the buyer.

Sgt. Stadler warns, "It's a high risk that you run that law enforcement will come knocking to ask where you got the computer." Sgt. Mathews adds, "It's possible you could be charged it you knew or should have reasonably known it was stolen."

Sgt. Mathews says, "If you buy something that is stolen and it has a serial number on it that has been recorded by police such as a laptop and you take it in to get it repaired and it comes back stolen you could end up losing that computer."

There are some warning signs. Sgt. Mathews says, "If you are looking at property and the price is too good to be true then it probably is." Also, avoid sellers who live far from you. Sgt. Stadler says, "If they're a long ways way you want to be leery of that."

Bucchere says some Internet trade sites have a feature called feedback rating customer satisfaction. He says, "That feedback rating tells the buyer and helps him realize that what he's buying is what it's supposed to be.” He says legit sellers usually sell items at a higher price than someone who stole the merchandise.

Bucchere says, "If someone wants to turn something fast, they'll try to sell it for less than the appropriate price." He says he will continue to keep a close eye on where his merchandise comes from. His business depends on it.

If you have suspicions something may be stolen police say you need to try to track down the owner before you buy it and ask for a sales receipt or another proof of purchase.

Reported by: Lindsay Patterson
Email: patterson@kjrh.com

Copyright KJRH 2007. All Rights Reserved.

Tulsa Detective Jimmy Smith Has Passed

It is with great sadness I write you concerning the passing of Det. Jimmy Smith.  Jimmy passed away this morning(Saturday, November 24th, 2007) at approximately 03:00 hrs while in doctor's care at M.D. Anderson Hospital.  Jimmy was being prepared for bone marrow transpant in early December.  The chemo treatments took a heavy toll.  He was not able to survive this last one.

A Proclomation declared last Oct. 4th Jimmy Smith day.  We celebrated his service here to the City of Tulsa.  Today we celebrate his going home and victory at last.  Jimmy loved his job and as the days grew closer would say, "Man, I would do anything to get to come back to work."  He will be missed.  Funeral details will be coming as soon as they are available.

Police Chaplain Danny Lynchard

Tips For Safe Bargain Hunting

KOTV - 11/21/2007

Of course, the three Thanksgiving traditions are food, football and shopping. Some stores open as early as 4 o'clock Friday morning, which means it will be dark. Plus, bargain hunters on a mission will most likely be distracted. The News On 6's crime reporter Lori Fullbright reports it's a situation criminals love.

This is what criminals consider the ultimate combination: more people are out, they're carrying more money than usual and not paying attention like normal. Taking a few simple precautions, will help protect you from scrooges this holiday season.

The mad rush to get bargains, the dash to get parking spots and the crush of waiting in line, those are all part of the holiday shopping season. For most of us, tis the season of giving, but for criminals, tis the season for taking.

If you shop with a purse, take your keys and your cell phone out and put them in your pockets. If your purse is stolen, they won't have your house keys to go along with your address and you'll still be able to get home and call for help. Also, think carefully about your money choice.

"Try not to carry cash. Use a debit or credit card. It's a lot easier for you to call your bank and cancel a debit or credit card than to get your cash back," said Tulsa Police officer Leland Ashley.

If you must carry cash, don't put it all in one place. It is better to spread it around to different pockets, even a shoe. And, have the mindset that it could happen to me.

Before you ever go out, copy all the cards in your wallet or purse, front and back, that way if they are stolen, you know exactly what stores to call, what numbers to call and you won't be a victim of identity theft.

Despite repeated warnings, people still leave their purses in shopping carts and then walk away. Even if the purse is belted in, someone can still grab your wallet and go. It's best to have the purse on you and zipped, even in the restroom. Putting it the trunk in a parking lot isn't safe, because someone can break a window and pop open the trunk.

"If you're going to take your purse, place it inside the trunk before you ever leave the house," advises Tulsa Police Officer Leland Ashley.

Criminals know how to read body language, so walk with a purpose, tall and strong, get off the phone, don't dig in your purse for keys and make eye contact and speak.

Copyright KOTV 2007. All Rights Reserved.

Pain

Unlike the song pain, I would rather not feel pain at all after our first defensive tactics day. The week that actually marked our half point was brutally welcomed with knocking our selves, and each other, silly.

Defensive tactics (DT) is a very necessary evil of the academy. I was really looking forward to this portion of our training. Anyone who has ever participated in any sort of defensive tactics should be laughing already. Don't get me wrong I had a blast until the end of the training day. Here I am thinking I'll train with the men in my class because I really need to know what it is going to be like. I pair up with one of the biggest guys in my class (he is solid and stands at about 6'5).  I would like to say this was well thought out but really it was just ignorant.

By the end my shoulder hated me and so did the rest of my body. I hurt in places I never wanted to hurt. Classmates had bruises on them that looked like something or someone vicious had attacked them; when in fact it was a fellow classmate. The following days, and yes I said days, I felt older than what I ever wanted to feel.

The DT instructors are unbelievable. When you hear their resumes you quickly understand why they are our instructors. They are all of different shapes, ages, and each has a different expertise. If nothing else it's a great reminder don't ever underestimate your opponent.

DT was followed by 16 hours of handling the mentally ill. Because police have so much contact with the mentally ill and even the homeless population that is plagued with mental illness it is imperative that we are well trained in this area. The first day was spent learning as much as we could about the specifics regarding different types of mental illness, i.e. schizophrenia, bi-polar, and depression. We also met mental health professionals from COPES, TCBH, IMPACT, and representatives from TPD who have received more than the basic training for mental health.

Day two was really interesting. The class was separated into groups and placed in different areas throughout the academy. Mental health professionals acted out actual situations in which they were schizophrenic or manic and we had to handle the situation as if it were a real call. The mental health professionals were absolutely believable. If a stranger walked in they would have not known the difference. This was a great exercise. I learned so much from going through the scenarios and receiving the feedback.

The week can be summed up by us beating each other senseless followed by mental illness. I'm wondering if they were trying to tell us something. What we learned this week was really important and can be used throughout our careers. I can only look forward to more bruises and truly feeling my age.

APO Amy Hoehner

New Podcast: Tulsa Police Recruiter Jesse Guardiola

http://www.tpdpodcast.com/2007/11/16/recruiting-tpd-talks-10/

Over the Hump

Time is flying by faster than what I expected. The good thing is the fun has just begun. The regular range days are complete. Let me say how thrilled I am it is over. If I could shoot my shotgun all the time, loaded with slugs, life would be really good. But for some reason I can't see the Department buying me a holster for my shotgun that would attach to my knee brace. Overall the instructors have been great. It says a lot to me when an instructor offers all the time necessary to help improve my shooting. Anytime I was frustrated, which seemed to be all the time, the same instructor always found the right thing to say. It is a true testimony of the great training staff we have on TPD.

During the same week, we had a class on building and room searches. The class drove to a church where we split into groups. Each group was assigned an instructor who was also a SOT member. As we went over different techniques it truly demonstrated I work with a great group of people. Even though we tripped over each other, ourselves, and smacked each other in the head we still managed to learn so much and laugh while completing each entry. The importance of this class cannot be minimized. I think we were all in agreement that more time training on entries would be very beneficial.

In my group was an officer from my previous class. He was training with the instructor that was in charge of my group. Having a familiar face in my group was really nice. We made mistakes together and learned together. He is a great example of the great caliber of officers we have on this department. He chose to refresh his training to keep himself updated on an important aspect of the job.

The best story about this day was one I really did not expect. My group was standing upstairs waiting for the room to be set up that we were going to search. I had my camera ready, waiting for the perfect photo op. The next thing I know one of the instructors grabs me by the sleeve and pulls me into where another group is practicing their techniques. I try to get my camera ready and before I know it the instructor points to one of my classmates in a prone position on the floor. As I lifted my camera I saw what the instructor wanted me to capture for the history books of Class 2007-98. The APO that was in a prone position, yeah, he looked up at me grinning ear to ear. He had his pistol poking through a hole in the bottom of the wall into another room where his group was working. He earned a nickname that was well deserved.

I think we all really understood the importance of building and room searches. It was a great learning experience. Sgt. Parsons and his instructors taught us information that is so important for the rest of our careers. I hope we have the opportunity to train more using what we learned during this day. You can never get enough of something this important.

APO Amy Hoehner

Tulsa Police Officer Sue Wallace and Retired Corporal George Wallace Die in Car Accident

Officer, spouse die in accident

By Staff Reports, Tulsa World
11/18/2007

GLENPOOL -- An off-duty Tulsa police officer and her husband, a retired police corporal, died Saturday afternoon in a two-car accident, authorities said.

Gwendolyn Sue Wallace and George Wallace were killed near the intersection of U.S. 75 and 136th Street South at 3:30 p.m., according to a release from the Tulsa Police Department.

Gwendolyn Wallace was reportedly attempting to make a left turn on U.S. 75 when her vehicle was struck by a vehicle traveling south on the highway.

The Wallaces were pronounced dead at the scene.

Gwendolyn Wallace had been an officer with the police department since September 1986; George Wallace started with TPD in June 1970 and retired in November 1996, according to the TPD release.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

MAYOR'S BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAM WINS KEEP OKLAHOMA BEAUTIFUL AWARD

TULSA, OK - Mayor Kathy Taylor's High School Beautification Program has been awarded the Youth Group Award, given by Keep Oklahoma Beautiful Inc. (KOB) for best Oklahoma project by a youth group that was completed with minimal adult participation.

The award will be presented on Monday, November 19, 2007 during The Keep Oklahoma Beautiful 17th Annual Environmental Awards program. The awards recognize the good works of Oklahomans for their exceptional efforts in the areas of environmental improvement, beautification & landscaping and environmental education & promotion - completed during the 12-month period ending July 31, 2007.

The KOB Banquet will be held at the Oklahoma City Marriott, just prior to the organization's annual conference.

The Mayor's Award-winning program combined the efforts of high school seniors, the Up With Trees non- profit organization, the City of Tulsa and Tulsa Public Schools to design and implement nine different campus beautification projects across the city. The projects ranged from trees planted in common areas to the addition of park benches, to the building of a fence to set off a landscaping project.

"This year's Senior Classes took this project and made it their own, leaving a legacy behind for future school classes to enjoy," said Mayor Kathy Taylor. "But the best thing is that it doesn't end here, future seniors will continue to beautify the campuses of Tulsa's schools."

Tulsa's high schools seniors worked with Cara Phippen, a volunteer with the Mayor's office, to complete the projects.

A panel of judges reviewed all qualified entries for the KOB awards. Using an evaluation guide, the judges scored each entry based on certain criteria.

Keep Oklahoma Beautiful, Inc. was established in 1965 as a statewide nonprofit organization. Its mission is to encourage, promote and assist individual and group efforts in the areas of beautification, enhancement and preservation of Oklahoma's environment.

Its work is directed and accomplished by a voluntary board of directors.

Major Dennis Larsen Promoted to Deputy Chief

Tulsa Police Major Dennis Larsen has been promoted to the rank of Deputy Chief.  The promotion follows a competitive process involving several written and oral exercises.  Deputy Chief Larsen has 28 years of service with the Tulsa Police Department and formerly commanded Uniform Division Southwest.

Mayor Kathy Taylor states:  "Deputy Chief Larsen has shown exceptional leadership both in the police department and in our community.  As Deputy Chief he will be in a position to continue leading our great Tulsa Police Department and our City forward."

Deputy Chief Larsen is a graduate of the 185th Session of the FBI National Academy, Leadership Tulsa Class 13 and the FBI Hazardous Device School.  His previous assignments with the Tulsa Police Department include commanding the Special Operations Team, Bomb Squad and Uniform Division Southwest. 

Chief Ron Palmer states:  "Deputy Chief Larsen has served the department and the citizens of Tulsa with distinction for the entirety of his career.  His promotion will allow him to make additional meaningful contributions to the good of the department in his role of commander of the largest single contingency of personnel within the Tulsa Police Department."

Deputy Chief Larsen will take over as the operations deputy chief, which oversees the patrol divisions and the special operations division within the Tulsa Police Department.

A promotional ceremony will be held on November 19th at 11:00 a.m.
in room 1101 of the City Hall Building, 200 Civic Center.

Ice Meth

By CLIFTON ADCOCK World Staff Writer
11/12/2007

SHERRY BROWN/Tulsa World
Powder meth and crystal meth at the Tulsa County Sheriffs Department.

State drug enforcers are facing new threat: Different meth form on rise, officials say

With the enormous decline in clandestine methamphetamine labs in the state during the past few years, police have seen a significant increase in crystal meth.

Local and state law enforcement agents say almost all of the meth seized now is a crystallized, smokeable form of the drug that is produced in ‘‘superlabs’’ in Mexico and smuggled across the border.

For years, Oklahoma law enforcers fought what seemed to be a losing war against clandestine meth labs—homemade laboratories concealed in houses, apartments, sheds and even vehicles by meth cooks who used hazardous chemicals to create a powder form of the drug. Between the mid-1990s and 2003, the number of labs found by law enforcement rose dramatically.

But in April 2004, the state enacted a law greatly limiting the sale of one of the primary meth ingredients — pseudoephedrine, a common over-thecounter decongestant.

Since then, the number of labs seized has dropped to only a fraction of what it once was, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control records show.

The philosophy of community policing

By RON PALMER

Published Tulsa World
11/11/2007

For the last two decades the Tulsa Police Department has been on the forefront of the community policing philosophy. As chief of police, I encourage the concepts of partnering with members of the community to reduce crime. This begins with an officer in their basic academy and is encouraged at every division within the department.

Before I discuss specific details of the department's efforts, it is important to understand exactly what community policing is. The U.S. Department of Justice Office of Community Oriented Policing Services defines community policing as:

"Community policing focuses on crime and social disorder through the delivery of police services that includes aspects of traditional law enforcement, as well as prevention, problem-solving, community engagement, and partnerships. The community policing model balances reactive responses to calls for service with proactive problem-solving centered on the causes of crime and disorder. Community policing requires police and citizens to join together as partners in the course of both identifying and effectively addressing these issues."

I prefer that definition as it encompasses various aspects of community policing. Community policing is not just a special program or one unit within the department. It is a combination of traditional police work, prevention programs and community partnerships. The Tulsa Police Department Mission Statement states: "The Tulsa Police Department will apply all knowledge, skills and available resources by working in partnership with our community to provide quality service, protect life and property, prevent crime and resolve problems so people can live without fear in a safe environment."

I am proud to represent an agency that embraces those philosophies. This police department continues to be involved in a wide variety of community policing activities. In the last year, the Tulsa Police Department has participated in 739 community events. These range from neighborhood meetings and school presentations to events such as the Tulsa State Fair.

More than 40,000 citizens have seen our presentations in the last year and those presentations continue throughout the city each week. Anyone can schedule a presentation and our Web site is the easiest way to do that. Simply go to our Public Education section and submit the request: www.tulsapolice.org/education/publiceducation.html .

While you visit our Web site, we have included several interactive sections that give the citizens important input and information about the Tulsa Police Department. We periodically conduct online surveys that yield thousands of comments and feedback from citizens. Many of these comments have already been acted on and will no doubt improve the efficiency of the department. In addition, citizens can read about the current events of the department at the official Tulsa Police Blog which is located at www.tpdblog.com . Citizens can not only submit their comments on the blog, but they can send a direct e-mail to me at TPDChief@cityoftulsa.org. Our most recent effort to relay information to the community is our official Podcast. Citizens can listen to real stories from the officers working their communities and hear about new and innovative programs being offered by the Tulsa Police Department by going to www.tpdpodcast.com .

The Tulsa Police Department has dedicated a full-time officer to coordinate all public education events and Sgt. Stephanie Jackson has done a phenomenal job. Not only has she helped start Student Crimestoppers at all 31 Tulsa Public Schools but she facilitates the Department's involvement in a wide variety of community programs and events. From charity basketball games to safety fairs, and child seat checks, the department has worked very hard to not only provide two-way communication with the community but also provide outlets to educate them about crime and safety.

As I stated, community policing is much more than a program. The heart of the concept lies in the hearts of our officers and citizens. In that regard, we should all be proud of what the future holds. I have personally seen officers mowing the lawn and cleaning a dilapidated residence in an effort to keep the criminal element away. I have witnessed officers pray with parents in parking lots as they discuss how they can help their children. I have seen officers give their own money away to those who need it and purchase presents for a family that had everything taken the day before Christmas.

The Tulsa Police Department is made up of men and women who truly care about their community. I have no doubt that the citizens of Tulsa care just as much about this great city. With those factors present and a continued effort by both, we will continue to thrive within the community policing model.

Ron Palmer is chief of the Tulsa Police Department.

By RON PALMER

APO Amy Hoehner Records A Podcast

If you have been reading in this category you know that we have been hearing from Apprentice Police Officer Amy Hoehner for the last several months as she discusses her Police Academy experiences.

She recently completed a Podcast interview. This format allows you to listen to or download the audio file on your computer and actually "hear" her.

Click the link below and enjoy:

http://www.tpdpodcast.com/2007/11/09/apo-amy-tpd-talks-9/

Safe City: Cruising for criminals

STEPHEN HOLMAN / Tulsa World
Bill Jenkins (left) and Keith Osterdyk, Tulsa police officers with the Safe City Initiative, drive through a parking lot at a Tulsa shopping mall Thursday evening.

STEPHEN HOLMAN / Tulsa World

Safe City task force officers will be patrolling shopping areas in marked cars, as they are shown doing here Thursday night, but undercover officers also will use unmarked cars as they watch for robbers and car burglars during the holiday season.

By NICOLE MARSHALL World Staff Writer
11/10/2007

Task force to ring in 2008

The Tulsa Police Department will extend the Safe City Initiative -- a citywide task force that targets crime by geographic area -- through the end of the year.

While the unit will continue to focus on violent criminals and crime hotspots, one of the main objectives for Safe City officers in the coming weeks will be cracking down on people who prey on holiday shoppers.

''Keeping the unit in place is not adversely impacting calls for service. It is actually supporting calls for service,'' Police Chief Ron Palmer said of the assistance Safe City officers provide to patrol officers.

''We think we are still getting benefits from the Safe City Initiative, so we are going to continue with it for a while.''

Since it began Aug. 26, the unit has made about 200 arrests, including about 150 for felony crimes. Its officers have arrested about 50 career criminals and about 20 people on robbery warrants or for robberies that had just occurred.

The officers have also arrested five shooting suspects and one homicide suspect and seized at least 30 guns, Capt. Matt Kirkland said.

Palmer said it makes sense to keep the unit in place through the holidays to support officers in the field.

While final plans are still in the works, Kirkland said Safe City officers will be patrolling shopping areas in marked police cars but that undercover officers also will be there.

The unit will also use decoy cars to catch car burglars, he said.

''We will use the cars to entice people who are out casing parking lots. If someone at tempts to burglarize the vehicles, we will be able to take them down in the act,'' Kirkland said.

The Safe City officers will work with uniformed officers and other units to ensure the safety of shoppers and other people who are out during the busy holiday season, Kirkland said. The department may even use bicycle and foot pa trols, he said.

''It is going to be a combined effort on the part of the whole department,'' Kirkland said.

Catching robbers has been one of the unit's main goals, but its officers have realized that violent criminals are committing crossover crimes.

''As we learned more about the individuals involved, we have begun putting more of a focus on burglaries, as well, because we are seeing that a lot of the robbers are out there committing burglaries,'' Kirkland said.

Earlier this week, undercover Safe City officers arrested two armed robbery suspects believed by police to have just committed two robberies, including one of a pizza delivery worker.

The Safe City officers maintained surveillance on an apartment where the robbers were believed to live. When the suspects showed up, the officers took an 18-year-old and a juvenile into custody. The juvenile had an ankle monitor on because he was on probation for shooting with intent to kill, according to police.

After the end of the year, the department's administration will consider whether the task force will continue, Kirkland said.

Nicole Marshall 581-8459
nicole.marshall@tulsaworld.com

Copyright Tulsa World 2007. All Rights Reserved. Format differs from original publication.

Brake, but don't swerve

By ALTHEA PETERSON World Staff Writer
11/6/2007

Safe-driving tips during deer season

Meet a deer on the road, and you will also likely bear the infamous "deer in headlights" stare.

As the Nov. 17 Oklahoma deer gun-hunting season approaches, this is the most active time for deer, said Nels Rodefeld, Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation chief of information and education.

"It's the breeding season for deer, so they tend to be a lot more active, as the buck . . . he'll chase the doe until she's ready," Rodefeld said. "They'll cover a lot of area, and it's very likely they'll cross many roads."

Deer whistles or horns honking will not effectively distract these deer chasing each other, Rodefeld said.

Therefore, safe and cautious driving is the best way to combat deer on the road, said David Crow, Tulsa Police Department driving instructor.

Crow said he has personally met a few deer on the road.

"It was unexpected, and I didn't see it coming, even though I was driving through an area that I knew had many deer," Crow said. "I think they catch most people off-guard."

Palmer corrects force size error

By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer
11/6/2007

Police Chief Ron Palmer said Monday that he was wrong when he told the City Council last week that Tulsa has 100 fewer officers now than it did at the end of his first stint as the chief.

Tulsa actually had 29 more officers at the end of October than it did on June 30, 2002, city Finance Department figures show.

The force has grown in that time from 793 officers to 822, with a dip during 2003 and 2004 that was due to the lack of police academies.

The Police Department's authorized strength, which is used as a baseline for planning, also has increased in five years, to 780 officers from 765.

In a letter that was delivered to councilors, Palmer said, "Please be advised that in my reporting to the council and subsequent statements to selected members of the media, I had no purposeful intent to overstate, embellish or cause alarm to the citizenry regarding current TPD staffing.

"I take full responsibility for the statements I made in my hurried analysis of data I believed to be valid." He continued that he "relied upon (that data) to provide meaningful information to the council."

Palmer said Finance Director Mike Kier called the error to his attention.

Budget Director Pat Connelly said the city's numbers are based on the number of officers who receive paychecks, including those in the current police academy.

Police vs. Fire Charity Hockey Game

A Police vs Fire charity Hockey game is being played on November 10th, at 7:00pm, at Oilers Ice Center, 6413 S. Mingo Rd.
Celebrity Coaches are “T.K.” Tom Karalis and “Dougie” Lawrence.
All money goes to the Children's Burn Camp. click here http://www.tfdclowns.com/burn_camp.php
Tickets are 10 dollars.
It does not matter whether or not you can make the game. The money still goes to the Children’s Burn Camp.
You can buy tickets from:
*The players listed below
*at Oilers Home Hockey games, (600 civic center).
*Oilers Ice Center, 6413 S. Mingo Rd.
*Ebay search Guns N Hoses, Buy online Click Here http://cgi.ebay.com/GUNS-N-HOSES-BENEFIT-HOCKEY-GAME_W0QQitemZ160175942382QQihZ006QQcategoryZ16122QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Tulsa Police hockey players are:
Sgt Joey Bayles
Sgt M. McMeen
Cpl. L. Marks
Cpl. C. Goforth
Officer D. Weakly

Broken Arrow Police Hockey Players:
Chris Walker
John Dussling
Chane Cophran

The Tulsa Rampage will be donating the proceeds from their game on Saturday 11/17/07 at the Oilers Ice Center, to the Burn camp.

Crime analysis vital to Safe City unit

By NICOLE MARSHALL World Staff Writer
11/4/2007

Tulsans may wonder what makes one police task force different from another.

But police say the answer is clear when it comes to the Safe City Initiative -- the reliance on real-time police data in an effort to prevent crime.

When coordinators set out to develop the unit, they decided to emphasize targeting crime hot spots throughout the city and criminals who frequently commit violent offenses.

The unit's supervisor, Capt. Matt Kirkland, said Safe City Initiative officers meet weekly with crime analysis officers, who identify crime trends and hot spots with advanced mapping technology.

Capt. Travis Yates said, "By using real-time data and providing that data to officers working the Safe City Initiative, it gives them direction and focus that no doubt has made a positive impact in our community."

Yates is the supervisor of the department's Crime Analysis, Planning, Evaluation and Research Section.

Intelligence-led policing involves the collection and analysis of information in an effort to inform police decision-making at both the tactical and management levels, he said.

"This style of law enforcement is predicated on the notion that a principal task of the police is to prevent and detect crime rather than simply to react to it," he said.

Tulsa Celebrates National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week

This week, November 4-10, is an opportunity to celebrate an often overlooked city service, Tulsa's Animal Welfare Department. The week has been designated National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week.

"The City of Tulsa Animal Welfare Shelter provides many services and programs to help both animals and people," says Larry Briggs, Animal Welfare Director. "When combined, these services and programs play a valuable role in enhancing our quality of life."

These services include controlling dogs that are running at large, rescuing injured animals, returning lost pets to their owners and adopting animals into new loving homes. According to departmental statistics, the Animal Welfare Department fields between 60 and 70 calls per day on a variety of issues, including stray animals and reports of animal abuse.

Staff members at the Shelter have been trained to offer personal guidance to the public on animal-related issues and concerns, from dealing with wildlife to helping with pet behavior questions.

"Our mission is to assure Public Safety and Public Health," Briggs said. "Tulsa's citizens have the right to walk our streets and neighborhoods and feel safe. This means that animal owners must follow the city ordinances related to controlling and caring for their pets."

"We also want to reduce the number of unwanted animals in our community," Briggs continued. "In an average year, over 8,000 dogs, cats and other animals are impounded by our animal control officers. Another 5,600 are brought to the shelter by the public. Of those animals, not quite half are redeemed by their owners, adopted out, or released to rescue groups. Our goal is to increase the number of animals who are adopted and redeemed, and to offer more volunteering opportunities."

Tulsans Encouraged to Register for Clean-O-Ween this Saturday

Mayor Kathy Taylor encourages all Tulsans to participate in the fall city-wide clean up, Clean-o-ween, set for this Saturday.
"I hope that everyone will take an hour this weekend to clean up their neighborhoods, parks and places of business," said Mayor Taylor. "If everyone helps, we can be sure that visitors enjoying the beautiful fall foliage in our community will not be distracted by trash."
Participants should register their sites by calling the Metropolitan Environmental Trust at 584-0584 by 4 p.m. Friday, November 2. Trash bags and gloves may be picked up at the Sheridan M.e.t. Depot, 3495 S. Sheridan, between 9:30 A.M. and 4:30 P.M. today and Friday.