TPD Blog

'09 opening hoped for juvenile center

By NICOLE MARSHALL World Staff Writer
9/26/2008

A center for juveniles arrested by Tulsa police should open by early next year.

Officials had hoped to open the Tulsa Community Intervention Center this fall, but the moving of Tulsa's 911 center, which is now where the juvenile center will be housed, has been delayed.

The 911 center should be moved to the Lansing Industrial Park II, 801 E. Oklahoma St., by the end of October, Mayor Kathy Taylor said. The former facility then will be remodeled for its new use.

The delay allowed the city to improve some of the 911 center's technology. It will have several features that the current one doesn't, including the ability to locate emergency calls from cell phones.

Taylor said she is passionate about the Tulsa Community Intervention Center because she believes that it will give authorities an opportunity to make a positive impact on area youths.

The center will be a short-term facility to hold juveniles whom officers take into custody. When juveniles are arrested for such things as curfew violations or shoplifting — offenses that don't require secure detention — police often have to wait with them for several hours before they can be released to their parents.

"We know our officers are spending anywhere from three to eight hours with the juveniles that they are arresting and booking, and it is taking them way from other public safety issues," Taylor said.

With the new center, officers will be able to return to their patrols much sooner.

Authorities will then determine whether the juveniles should be transferred to the Tulsa Jail or the Juvenile Bureau Detention Center, held for their parents, or referred to Youth Services of Tulsa.

The center's other main goal is connecting the juveniles and their families with counseling and other programs that will reduce recidivism. Taylor said the facility will work hand-in-hand with programs to decrease the school dropout rate.

Authorities at similar centers in the state have seen an increase in juvenile referrals to the justice system. They say the streamlined process makes it more likely that officers will detain youths rather than give them warnings.

The Tulsa Police Department will be the only agency using the facility at first, but the city has talked to surrounding agencies about using it in the future.

"When other communities see the impact we are making, we certainly would welcome their involvement and use of the facility," Taylor said.

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

Hero who tackled robber is honored

By DAVID SCHULTE World Staff Writer
9/25/2008

Police and his employer cite Craig Stutzman for bravery in battling the bandit.

No plane could soar higher in the eyes of Craig Stutzman's co-workers at American Airlines than Stutzman himself on Wednesday.

Stutzman, a mechanic at the American Airlines Maintenance Base, 3600 N. Mingo Road, was recognized by the Police Department and his employer for his bravery in fighting a gunman, preventing him from robbing a Food Pyramid store at 51st Street and Memorial Drive on Aug. 7.

Police Chief Ron Palmer presented Stutzman with the department's Citizen Appreciation Award, the highest honor bestowed upon a civilian by police.

"In the world of cops, this guy is pretty special," Palmer said. "He stepped up and put his life in extreme danger in tackling an armed gunman in a grocery store."

The robber pistol-whipped Stutzman, who suffered scrapes and bruises in the fight, according to a police report that Palmer read aloud at the ceremony.

Although police don't expect all civilians to act so heroically, Palmer called Stutzman's example a "compelling story of citizen participation in law enforcement."

Stutzman was at the grocery store to buy some dog food when a robber entered, carrying a gun and wearing a Batman mask and a red bandana over his face.

The robber herded shoppers into a corner and then fired at a customer, missing him by inches, police said.

When the robber's gun jammed, Stutzman tackled him and fought him until officers arrived.

Tony Leroy Cleveland, 38, pleaded guilty Sept. 16 in federal court in that case as well as in two earlier robberies. He is to be sentenced in January.

Palmer said at the award ceremony that Stutzman performed a "selfless act of bravery" when he acted to "protect his fellow citizens."

"He helped take a person in custody when most people would have stopped," he said.

Fred Cleveland, American Airlines' vice president of base maintenance, said Stutzman represents "the heart" of the company and "the American way of life."

"He made the right choice at the right time," Cleveland said in presenting Stutzman with plaques of appreciation from the company.

Stutzman said something inside him caused him to tackle and fight the gunman.

"I look back, and I don't know what triggered me," he said. "It was all adrenalin."

The whole incident still seems unreal, he said, adding that he felt humbled to be honored by the Police Department and his co-workers.

David Schulte 581-8367
david.schulte@tulsaworld.com

Copyright Tulsa World 2008. All rights reserved. Format differs from original publication.

TPD staffing study spurs action plan

By BRIAN BARBER World Staff Writer

9/25/2008

View the Tulsa Police Department manpower study:

tulsaworld.com/manpowerstudy

The Police Department has too few officers, the study says.

An action plan is being developed in response to an independent study of the Tulsa Police Department's staffing levels and organization, Police Chief Ron Palmer said this week.

The study, released in August by MGT of America Inc., has recommended an increase of 98 full-time-equivalent civilian and sworn positions within the department.

The Austin, Texas-based firm said the department should change 30 officers' positions to civilian positions and redeploy those sworn officers into patrol roles. It also said 10 more civilian jobs and 58 more sworn officers should be added.

As of Sept. 1, the department had 826 officers and 108 civilian employees.

"The department has been busy dissecting the report and its recommendations," Palmer told the City Council during a committee meeting Tuesday. Once the department determines how it wants to respond, a final report will be drafted to present to city leaders.

"There's some urgency to that with regard to the '09-10 budget," Palmer said, noting that city finance officials will want the department's budget requests soon.

His report will be submitted to the mayor by Wednesday and then sent to the city Finance Department.

Palmer noted that the study contains a number of recommendations that would not cost the city anything, including changing the police response to alarms and moving personnel into different enforcement areas. Those likely will be pursued first, he said.

None of the study's 48 recommendations has been ruled out, Palmer said. The biggest item of controversy within the department has been the recommendation to use civilians as crime-scene investigators, he said.

"We're looking at how successful that's been in other cities and whether indeed it would save money," Palmer said.

Councilor Bill Christiansen said he's in full support of figuring out how to add more officers to the force.

"The overtime we pay has always been a thorn in my side," he said. "I know a lot of that is uncontrollable, but I do think we can find savings there."

Councilor Rick Westcott asked how often officers are paid overtime to work extra hours because the minimum patrol level cannot be met.

Palmer said that is part of the regular routine. The only time it's difficult to find officers who want to work overtime is during football season, he said.

Brian Barber 581-8322

brian.barber@tulsaworld.com

 Copyright Tulsa World 2008. All rights reserved. Format differs from original publication.

Tulsa State Fair - Come visit the Tulsa Police Booth

We would like to invite everyone to visit our booth at the Tulsa State Fair. There will be cool stuff, information about crime and the Police Department, and officers present at all times to meet with families and visitors to answer questions.

We are located on the second floor on the west side of the Quik Trip Center.

Hope to see you there,

ed.

Mayor Recognizes Two City Employees in New Program

Eddy Tijerina, Senior Safety Coordinator, Human Resources Department and Sgt. Skipper Bain, Special Events Coordinator and Police Reserves, Tulsa Police Department, received the first recognition rewards under the Mayor’s new Tulsa Blue employee program.

Mayor Taylor launched the new employee recognition program on Sept. 4 to focus on celebrating employees who exemplify high standards of collaboration and service at the City of Tulsa.

She surprised both employees with a proclamation, a special recognition jacket that marks them as an outstanding employee, a pen and pencil set, mug and crystal paperweight. Employees who receive this honor personally from the Mayor will also receive a special blue shirt with the new City of Tulsa logo. Through Tulsa Blue, Mayor Taylor will recognize two employees quarterly.

Human Resources Director Jeff Wilkie said, “Tulsa Blue is the main color of our re-branded City of Tulsa Logo and exemplifies the new kind of energy being experienced by our employees and the citizens we serve.

“This color will symbolize the unique contributions of our employees both within our City administration and outside in the community where we provide assistance and expertise to the citizen’s of our great city.”

Eddy began his employment with the City in the Parks Department as a Gardner I.  He promoted several times within Parks before moving over to Human Resources as a Safety & Health Specialist II in October 2001.  One year later Eddy promoted to Senior Safety Coordinator where he leads a team of Safety & Health Specialists as well as a Heavy Equipment Training Development Specialist.  Eddy oversees the Safety section and all heavy equipment training for all non-sworn departments.  He also provides consultative safety services to all City departments.

Eddy has worked with employees moving into new desks and workspaces at One Technology Center to ensure all chairs and equipment have an ergonomic fit. He has conducted 83 actual ergonomic evaluations at City Hall since April and led the effort to ensure that all employees received training around "Committing to an Ergonomic Fit" in all City Hall move orientation sessions

Skipper Bain has 30 years of service with the Tulsa Police Department. He has received several commendations from citizens in his role as the Special Events Coordinator on behalf of the City of Tulsa. In the time Skipper has worked in this capacity, he has supported over 2,000 events working closely with neighborhoods, non-profits and citizens.

Skipper is the person who is responsible to see that every detail gets taken care of in planning the use of streets and other aspects of special events. This involves many meetings with event staff, event administrators and any other entity that requires his expertise.

While accepting this recognition from Mayor Taylor, both Skipper and Eddy were quick to give credit the teams they lead.

Changing of the guard

By JEFF BILLINGTON World Staff Writer
9/3/2008

After 35 years and three generations of students, a Jenks crossing guard retires.

JENKS — Mary Crosslin won't miss the ice, the snow, the heat, the rain or the dark mornings with a flashlight, but she's going to miss the students.

Crosslin, 67, an officer with the Jenks Campus Police Department, has helped control traffic and helped generations of students cross the street at the corner of First and B streets for 35 years. Health issues are forcing her into retirement, although she said she doesn't intend to slow down.

On Tuesday, she was honored for her service by former students, teachers, administrators, co-workers and her family.

Crosslin started with the campus police on Sept. 24, 1973. Jenks then had 16 school buses, not the more than 100 the district has today, she said.

She easily recalls her first day on the job.

"It was hot. The sun was out, and there was 16 school buses, and I was scared to death," she said. "I soon found out it wasn't the buses to be afraid of, it was the parents and their driving. They didn't want to take orders from somebody."

She said she upset many parents over the years because she was a stickler for the rules. But no child was ever hurt during her tenure.

Three years ago, Crosslin was at her post when she was hit by a vehicle. The driver apparently was blinded by the morning sun.

"It was just a pure accident," Crosslin said. "The sun came up, it was 7:40 in the morning, and I thought, 'Tulsa sure is going to have a lot of accidents.' The next thing I know I was on the ground. It's OK, no child got hurt. And that's what I'm most proud of."

Throughout the years, the students and their attitudes have changed, but Crosslin's attitude has remained constant.

"They're still very respectful, but they don't have the manners that the other kids had. The new generation is not 'yes ma'am, no ma'am,' but they're still very good kids. I get hugs and they tell me they love me, and I get to tell them that I love them," she said.

For 30 minutes in the mornings and afternoons, Crosslin was in charge. She had full control of the traffic, making sure the school buses and lines of cars drove through the campus oval in a safe and orderly fashion.

"It's the most fun job. I get 40 school buses in and out of the oval, approximately 1,000 in and out, and I cross 1,000 kids across the street in 30 minutes," she said. "I've crossed three generations of children, and it's just a joy to have met and dealt with the children, their parents, and even some grandchildren."

Crosslin's boss, Campus Police Chief Jack Myers, said there's no way they'll be able to replace someone of her caliber.

"She greets and meets the kids in the morning, and it won't ever be the same without her," he said. "If they're running late, if they don't have their ID, if they're not up to dress code, she will get on to them. She encourages them to correct it, but she ends it with 'I love you.' She's a real institution here."

Crosslin has been loved so much that the Class of 1998 sent her on a trip to Hawaii. Her lawyer and chiropractor are former students she's helped cross the street, and the doctor who treated her after she was hit by a car was a student, too. Her memory of each student is impeccable.

"Wherever I go, I run into someone who knows me. There's no place I can go without being known," she said. "It's been 35 wonderful years. I'm still young, and I think young, and I act young, and that's what surprises people. I made my job a fun time; it was a blast. I don't believe in saying goodbye, I just love the kids with all my heart."

Jeff Billington 581-8369
jeff.billington@tulsaworld.com

Copyright Tulsa World 2008. All rights reserved. Format differs from original publication.