TPD Blog

Hoax E-Mail Continues to Cause a Stir in Tulsa

Another hoax e-mail has been making the circles in Tulsa. We have received comments on the Blog and our Public Information Office has received numerous inquiries.

It is best summarized by a comment received by one of our blog readers, which I have here pasted:

A friend sent a message yesterday telling of how her son was purposely rear-ended Wednesday while driving in the area of 36th and Yale.  When he pulled over, a group of young men (gang members) hopped out of the offending (and apparently stolen) car and began shooting at or around him.  She said that police who responded mentioned there has been an increased incidence of this all over the city.  Another friend told me that this was just sort of an "urban legend".  Which is accurate?  Are we seeing this commonly in Tulsa, or is this likely just a fabricated story?

The e-mail is a hoax. No such event has occurred. Officer Jason Willingham, of the Tulsa Police Public Information Office, states, "This a similar hoax to one that has circulated throughout the country and, in this case, has been personalized to the City of Tulsa. It is completely false."

Please feel free to circulate the link to this post to those you know who have received this e-mail.

Corporal Will Dalsing

Tulsa Police Department

Headquarters

Outtakes From Recent Tulsa Police Video Project

TPD from James P on Vimeo.

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

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.

"Thank you for helping me..."

A note to the TPD from Police Chaplain Danny Lynchard

Nothing concerns and angers a police officer like the victimization of a child.  When the victimizer is caught, it is the result of a lot of people pouring heart and effort into the attempt.  There are those who dispatch, those who pursue, those who provide information, those who capture, those who interview, those who console a child, those who video, those who photograph, those who pray and many others.  One little eight year-old girl can easily figure out who the good guys are. 

After a recent AMBER ALERT, you arrested such a victimizer. I received this e-mail from (a Tulsa Police Sergeant).  It comes from a little girl who spent the scariest time of her life praying for the cavalry to show up . . . . and it did.

She wrote, in little 8-year-old handwriting (complete with princess stickers) "Thank you ....for helping me."

She also wrote a thank you note to the "Tulsa Police guys and girls," (again adorned with princess stickers) that read,"Thank you tulsa police for saving me and my brothers and catching the bad guy..."

All other eloquence pales in the light of her "thank you," as does many other acts of kindness, compared to your commitment.

God Bless you all,

Danny Lynchard

Tulsa Police Chaplain

Historical Promotions....

The Tulsa Police Department is proud to announce the promotion of five members. On June 3, 2008 at 8:30 am, a promotion ceremony was held in the Francis Campbell Council Room at City Hall. The following officers were promoted:

Major Daryl Webster promoted to Deputy Chief

Captain Eric Dalgleish promoted to Major

Sergeant Karen Tipler promoted to Captain

Corporal Stephen Stoltz promoted to Sergeant

Officer Eric Leverington promoted to Corporal

Eric Leverington, Stephen Stoltz, Eric Dalgleish, Karen Tipler, and Daryl Webster

This promotion is an historic occasion in the City of Tulsa. Upon the promotion of Captain Karen Tipler, she becomes the highest ranking African-American female in the history of the Tulsa Police Department.

Memorial Day 2008

We would like to wish everyone a safe Memorial Day and take this time to thank our Troops, both past and present, for their service and dedication to this Country.

In 2006, Public Information Officer Jason Willingham compiled a report that honored the military officers that also serve with the Tulsa Police Department.  You can view that report here. 

On this day of remembrance, we also honor Tulsa Police Officer Jared Shoemaker.  On September 4, 2006, Jared gave his life for this Country serving in Iraq with the United States Marines.

To Marine Corporal Jared Shoemaker, to each fallen Soldier, and to their families, we are sincerely thankful and completely humbled by your sacrifice.

Call the Police!: How to Respond to Crime...

Crime happens.  It’s an adverse part of society even though nobody wants crime—and nobody wants to be a victim of crime. 

However, if you’re ever an unfortunate victim or a witness, how you respond can make a big difference. Keep these safety tips in mind.  Review them every now and again and try to remind yourself about how to respond.

SAFETY TIPS

• Call 911--IMMEDIATELY!  Don't wait! The longer you wait, the longer it will take to get help--and the suspects will have more time to get away.
• Remain calm and try not to panic.
• Get details: try to remember the appearance and clothing of the suspect(s), license plates, etc.
• Write down the details, if you don't have a pen and paper, use loose dirt, or even just your finger on a car window (the oils from your finger can leave a streak).
• When calling the police, tell them your name, where you are, and your phone number.
• Also be prepared to tell police briefly what happened, who did it, if they are still there or if they left and how (walking, running, driving off in a car, etc.)

Calling the police, remaining calm, and providing details can make a big difference in getting help quickly--and making sure suspects don't get away!

For more information, visit the Tulsa Police Department's crime prevention and safety page.

Report a Crime—ONLINE!

The Tulsa Police Department web site lets you report a crime online. It’s easy and fast—and can help keep officers available to respond to critical emergencies.

Of course, if you have an emergency, you should dial 9-1-1.  But if you just need to file a report, the online forms are available 24 hours a day.

REPORTS
You can complete reports for misdemeanor crimes such as:

• Larceny (e.g., someone took money or property from you or your business)
• Malicious Mischief/Vandalism (e.g., a broken window)
• Harassing/Threatening/Obscene Phone Calls
• Most other City of Tulsa misdemeanor offenses—without evidence or a known suspect present.

Once you complete the form, your report will be processed and a police report number will be e-mailed to you.  Once you receive the e-mail, your report will be filed and forwarded to an investigator. Learn more about online reports.

CRIME TIPS
You can also provide the Tulsa Police with tips and any other information you may have about a crime online using the online tip form.

If you want to speak with someone about your police tip, please call Crimestoppers at 596-COPS. Whether you use the online form or call, If your tip leads to an arrest, you'll receive a cash reward.

"Toodles" Takes A Ride...

Almost 68 years ago, a dog named “Toodles” took his place in Tulsa police history.

Toodles was the first canine to ride in the new TPD “Paddy Wagon.” The patrol wagon, known as “Number 88,” came stylishly outfitted with bomb racks, a two-way radio, and a 100-horsepower engine. For the era, it was one of the most completely equipped pieces of police mobile equipment in Oklahoma.

Toodles was accompanying his master, and mistress of the night, near Main and Archer Streets. She was arrested for drunkenness.

Thus, Toodles was actually one of the first to experience the “plush” leather cushions in the back of the wagon, which seated 12—but had a “jamming capacity of 30.”

Read more
http://www.tulsapolice.org/history/youngdocs/paddywagon.html

Source: The Tulsa Tribune, July 22, 1940.