TPD Blog

Tips for a Safe New Year

The Tulsa Police Department is committed to making this a very joyful holiday and a safe New Year.  To accomplish this, we will be cracking down on impaired drivers and hoping to keep this from being one of the deadliest and most dangerous times of the year due to an increase in drunk driving. 

During this past year, fewer people lost their lives on Oklahoma roads than the previous year and we hope to continue this trend.

Our mission is to insure that people enjoy the New Year, but only if they wear their seatbelts, watch their speed and most of all DON’T DRINK AND DRIVE.

Choose a plan that will allow you to participate in ringing in the holidays without staying the night in jail or worse the hospital.  Pick a designated driver, call a taxicab, use the free towing services or just stay the night where you are celebrating the New Year.

Editor, WD

New Names for Police Divisions

Effective January 1, 2009, the Uniform Divisions of the Tulsa Police Department throughout the city will change names. The change was brought about for several reasons. One of which is for the Uniform Divisions to be associated with general landmarks rather than the actual directional location within the city, which can be vague and did not provide any intuitive knowledge to the public about their location or purpose within the City of Tulsa.

The cost associated with these changes will be minimal. There will be no effort to change stationary products until the current supply is diminished. The exterior of each Uniform Division is currently in the process of being remodeled with new features added. Upon the completion of these projects new signage will be in place to direct citizens to the divisions.

Listed below are the changes that will take effect on January 1, 2009.

• Uniform Division North will be renamed the Gilcrease Division.

• Uniform Division East will be renamed the Mingo Valley Division.

• Uniform Division Southwest will be renamed the Riverside Division.

• Information and Technical Services Division will be renamed Information Services Division.

All other divisions will remain the same.

Tulsa Deals with More Unsolved Murders

Unsolved murders are on the rise across the country and that trend is also true in Tulsa.  Despite DNA and other new crime-fighting technology, more people are getting away with murder.

In 1963, 91% of America's murder cases were solved.  Last year, 61% of them were.

One murder happened around Thanksgiving in Tulsa and is still unsolved.  Michael Thomas lived in Coffeyville, Kansas, but was found shot to death in the middle of a south Tulsa street at 6 a.m.

Tulsa Police learned Thomas and two men known only as J.J. and Blue had been on their way to go get dope when Thomas was shot and dumped.  Detectives say one reason murders are harder to solve these days is because of the randomness of drug deals and gang killings, where there is no real relationship or motive.

Another reason is the no snitch attitude that keeps people from talking to police.

"These national studies always like to reach back to the early 60's when society was different. Everybody talked to police.  It was a simple thing, husband kills wife, some tragedy like that. Now, we're dealing with gangbangers and drug people," said Tulsa Police Sgt. Mike Huff.

Police say DNA is a great tool, but it's certainly not the end-all, be-all it appears in TV shows.

In real life, it takes months to get back test results and while Tulsa detectives have gotten three or four hits on cold cases, it's only after a great deal of legwork.

"DNA just confirms what good detective work finds out.  We have to develop a suspect, a motive and confirm it with DNA," said Tulsa Police Sgt. Mike Huff.

Tulsa's solve rate is above the national average. We've had 54 murders so far in 2008.  All but 15 are solved, which is a clearance rate of 73%.

Still, that is down from past years and you add in the increased expectations from the public, families, brass and the DA's office and it's a double whammy of pressure for detectives.

Sergeant Huff says all the homicide detectives and all the CSIs will meet during the second week of January to review the 15 unsolved cases from 2008 to go over all the witnesses, suspects and lab results, to see what can be done to move them to the solved column.

Source: http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=9591323
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K-9 Officers Nab Five Robbery Suspects

Five people were taken into custody after an armed robbery which led to a foot chase overnight.

The incident began at 9:30 p.m. Monday, when a man flagged down a Tulsa Police officer and told him he had been robbed by five people at 21st and 129th East Avenue.  Two of the suspects had guns.

The victim gave police a vehicle description and about an hour later, a police officer spotted a car matching that description, driving without its lights on.

The officer followed the car into a neighborhood near 17th Place and 94th East Avenue, where the suspects fled the car.

That led to an hour long search including the use of the Tulsa Police helicopter and several K-9 officers.

When it was all done, the five suspects had been arrested. Three of the suspects had to be treated for dog bite wounds.

Source: http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=9593944

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New Forensic Lab Benefits City, OSU

City, OSU to do lab work

DAVID SCHULTE World Staff Writer

Construction is expected to begin this spring on a new Tulsa Police Department forensics laboratory and research facilities for the Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences forensic science department.

The $38.7 million project is a joint venture between the city of Tulsa and the OSU medical college, with the five-story building to be built on the southwest corner of the campus at 1111 W. 17th St.

The medical school will provide $21.87 million for construction costs. Most of the funds will come from bonds approved by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education and the Oklahoma A&M Colleges Board of Regents, operating revenue and grants, said Eric Polak, the school's director of administrative affairs.

Lara Christiansen, a spokeswoman for the city, said the city's portion, approximately $16.86 million, would come from revenue generated by the 2001 and 2006 third-penny sales tax, in addition to the 2005 general obligation bond.

Officials say the project represents a unique partnership that benefits students who want careers in the field of scientific research.

"It's a practicing laboratory with academic programs devoted to forensic science," said Robert Allen, a professor of forensics science and biochemistry at the college.

Maj. Steven Bayles, the Police Department's project manager, said the building's first two floors would contain a property and evidence room and a forensics laboratory for the department.

Each floor will be approximately 25,000 square feet — about four times more than that of the current home for the evidence room and forensics laboratory in the city's Municipal Courts Building.

"Right now, they are working in a very cramped space," Bayles said. "This will give them the opportunity to have more room to perform their examinations."

Capt. Jim Hunter said the additional space would help preserve the more than 36,000 items of evidence that police gather in a typical year. Those items include evidence in homicide cases, which are kept until the convict completes his or her sentence.

Police also keep evidence in "cold cases" — unsolved homicides.

The new forensics laboratory, which is needed to properly preserve tests on evidence used in criminal cases, will also be on the second floor.

"It will give analysts enough space to work on evidence and not trip over ourselves," said Mark Boese, the lab's director.

In November, more than 20 scientists and staff members performed 2,550 tests on evidence, with 2,398 backlogged cases involving tests carried over into December, he said.

Work performed in the forensics laboratory includes fingerprint analysis, DNA testing, firearms examinations, controlled substance analysis and handwriting analysis.

Allen said the medical college would occupy the remaining floors of the new building, with forensic science classrooms, research labs and faculty offices on the third floor.

Biomedical science research labs will be on the fourth and fifth floors.

The college already has research labs for forensic science and biomedical science students, but faculty members say upgrades are needed.

"The facilities that we have are not really geared for laboratory instruction," Allen said. "It will allow us to expand enrollment."

The new laboratories will enhance students' ability to research a variety of subjects, including cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other hard-to-diagnose diseases.

Allen said the new facility could also "open the door" to the school receiving federal funds from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which would enable students to conduct research in bioterrorism on crops.

The police lab and property and evidence room are expected to be completed by March 2010, and the classrooms, offices and laboratories for the college should be completed by September of that year.

Source: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20081229_11_A1_MarkBo995311

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Christmas Safety Tips

The Tulsa Police Department would like to wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas.  As the holiday season comes to an end we would like to remind everyone of a few safety tips.

Disposing of Your Tree
If you are using a real tree, it is likely that it has become dry.  You should keep the tree away from the fireplace or any other source of fire.   For safety purposes, a dry tree should be discarded.

Trash Disposal
The week after Christmas is one of the busiest for our refuse department.  While it may be tempting to place the boxes from Christmas in front of your residence, we would recommend that you place everything in bags.  Large boxes should be broken down and then placed in bags.  Would be criminals may be given an opportunity if they are made aware of your newly obtained gifts.

As we approach 2009, we would like to thank everyone for their commitment and service to this community.  We could not do our job without you doing yours and for that we sincerely thank you.

Yield to Emergency Response Vehicles

Tulsa Police Department Public Awareness

Each day, drivers of emergency vehicles are confronted with the challenge of getting to the scene of an emergency rapidly and as safely as possible. Sometimes it becomes a challenge.
 
Oklahoma Statute Title 47 and City of Tulsa Ordinance Title 37 requires all motorists to yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles when they are responding to a call and their emergency equipment is activated, regardless of their direction of travel. 

The following steps are useful when approached by an emergency vehicle responding to a call.
 
Upon hearing a siren, slow down and check all directions. Steer your vehicle to the nearest edge of the roadway and come to a complete stop until all emergency vehicles have passed. Be aware of your location. Avoid blocking any intersections. If you are already in an intersection, proceed through and then move to the right.

Don’t slam on your brakes or stop directly in front of an emergency vehicle. Pay attention to what other vehicles are doing, they may have observed an emergency vehicle that you can’t see or hear.

Sometimes, due to traffic conditions, it may be also be necessary for emergency vehicles to travel in opposing lanes, against the flow of traffic. This is why it is very important for all vehicles to respect responding emergency vehicles by moving to the right and stopping.

Time lost in traffic often means the difference between life and death for someone waiting for help. Help the drivers of emergency vehicles by safely getting out of their way. The seconds lost getting to someone in need could mean the difference between life and death. Drive safe and yield to the emergency responders as they do their jobs.

Tulsa Police Academy Graduates 14 Cadets

DEON HAMPTON World Staff Writer
Saturday, December 20, 2008

The Tulsa Police Academy graduated 14 cadets on Friday, putting a fresh crop of officers on the city streets.  "This is another chapter of TPD history being made," Police Chief Ron Palmer told about 350 law enforcement officers, family members and friends of the recruits.

Calling the Tulsa Police Department one of the finest in the nation, Palmer said the new officers will go to work fighting crime and protecting people. Officer Donnie R. Johnson, a former University of Tulsa wide receiver, and Officer Jackie L. Keeler, who spent five years as a Hillcrest Medical Center volunteer assisting with child-abuse prevention, sat beside each other during the graduation ceremony.

Both said they waited a long time to become Tulsa police officers.

"I have a videotape from a high school homecoming where I said I wanted to become a police officer," Johnson said after the graduation.

"Back then I wanted to be an officer because I liked danger," he said. "Now I want to help prevent gang violence, and I think safety first."

Keeler said defending people comes naturally. "I've always had to protect my family and others," she said.

The recruits started the 25-week academy in July. They completed more than 957 hours of instruction, which included training in the law, firearms, defensive tactics, driver training, report writing and officer survival, as well as psychological evaluations.

The new officers will start their law enforcement careers with a 16-week field-training program at each of the department's three patrol divisions.

Cpl. B.K. Smith warned the graduates about what they will soon face.  "You're going to see things that make you mad, cry and scared," said Smith, during the ceremony. "You may even have to lay down your life."

The Tulsa Police Department has more than 800 officers.

About Tulsa Police Recruits

Requirements:

Applicants must be 21-45 years of age.

Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree with a C+ average or better at an accredited college.

Applicants must be U.S. citizens.

Applicants may not have been convicted of a felony or a crime of moral turpitude.

Salaries:

Apprentice police officers earn $3,217.44 monthly during the 28-week academy training period. (The annual salary for police officers begins at $42,470.16.)

Source: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20081220_11_A15_Police345356

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How To Avoid Becoming A Victim Of Burglary

By Lori Fullbright, News On 6

Tulsa has had more than 4,200 house burglaries so far this year. This means an average of 12 homes are broken into everyday.

Ninety-five percent of those break-ins happen during the day.

Whether you want to protect the gifts under the tree or keep things safe while you're away for the holidays, there are some keys things you should do.

"The most popular thing in residential and commercial burglaries are big screens, flat screen TV's, they're being stolen left and right," said Sgt. Brandon Watkins, Tulsa Police Burglary Unit.

Electronics are quick to steal and easy to sell. That's why it's critical you write down your serial numbers. It's the best chance you have of police getting back your stuff.

Alarm systems let burglars know police are coming. One that can be heard outside is good, so it gets neighbors' attention. The rule is, the louder the better.

"You get one of those that almost makes your ears bleed and they'll come in, grab your TV and be gone. Yes, your TV is gone, but not everything else," said Sgt. Watkins.

Let's talk doors: your lock is only as good as your door. A solid, metal core door is a lot harder to kick in. A dead bolt is great. One without a twist knob is even better. "If you have a key on both sides, it's a little more inconvenient for you and a lot more inconvenient for burglars. They're not getting in by busting the glass and turning the knob," said Sgt. Watkins.

If someone knocks on the door during the day, there are two things you should never do. Don't pretend you're not home. It could be a burglar who kicks in the door and finds you inside. Second, don't answer the door. Just talk through it for your own protection.

Outside, plant prickly bushes that you keep trimmed low around windows and close your shades so burglars can't see in and see what you have that's worth taking.

If you're going to be gone for a few days, make your house seemed lived in. You can leave a radio on, have someone park an extra car in the driveway, have a neighbor get your mail and papers and have that same neighbor put a bag of trash on your curb on trash day.

Source: http://www.newson6.com/Global/story.asp?S=9540272

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Tulsa Police Volunteers Invaluable to Department

Police: Volunteers provide invaluable services

DAVID SCHULTE World Staff Writer

About two years ago, Tom Hutchinson's home in Tulsa was burglarized, but rather than just seeing himself as victim, he became a watchdog.

He joined two crime-prevention programs designed to help keep neighborhoods safe by informing police of any suspicious activity in their area.

Hutchinson, 66, also became one of more than 80 volunteers who assist 14 units, including the detective and special-investigations divisions of the Tulsa Police Department.

"Residents of Tulsa need to get involved and work with the police department," Hutchinson said. "It's a proven fact in that we have been able to get our neighborhood's crime down."

Volunteers with the police department perform a variety of clerical, office and research work in assisting with investigations, said Detective Tim Lawson, who oversees the registration of sex offenders in Tulsa.

Lawson has a handful of volunteers, including Hutchinson, who enter information into databases, verify addresses and check maps to make sure registered sex offenders are living outside 2,000 feet of schools, parks, playgrounds, and licensed child-care facilities as required by state law.

Without the volunteers working in the sex-offender registration office, fewer officers would be available to drive out to see if offenders are living within the residency restrictions, he said.

Charles Crawford, 78, and Leonard Seymour, 90, became volunteers in the police department because it was an opportunity to stay active after they retired.

"I feel like I am contributing a bit so officers can do their duties," said Seymour, whose duties include filing search warrants in the special-investigation unit. "We need more people to do some of this work."

Seymour was one of the first to join the department's Volunteers in Police Service program when it began in 1986. Through the years, the needs and duties of volunteers have grown.

Some serve as chaplains who console and assist the families of homicide victims, said Shannon Gibbons, coordinator of the volunteer program.

The department also uses bilingual residents who serve as interpreters when officers interview non-English-speaking witnesses and suspects in cases, she said.

Police have one volunteer whose main task is to call anyone who may have information about a runaway in an effort find the youth, she added.

Homicide detectives use volunteers to fill out offense reports and to search through newspaper archives looking for new leads, as well as reexamining old leads, that can help solve a case.

"There is not a volunteer who works here that is not helping keep bad guys off the street," said Lawson.

Because the demands of law enforcement have never been greater, both Lawson and Gibbons expect the need for volunteers to grow as police find ways to combat an understaffed department due to limited financial resources.

To become a volunteer, a person needs to be at least 18 years of age, willing to commit at least four hours of time within at least a six-month period, and pass a background check.

For more information, send an e-mail to volunteers@ci.tulsa.ok.us, or visit the Web site at www.tulsapolice.org.

Source: http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=11&articleid=20081213_11_A3_TomHut455060

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