Concerned With Crime, Tulsa Neighbors Hold Public Safety Meeting

Neighbors noticing more crime in their area prompted one Tulsa city councilor to hold a public safety meeting.

When people on Tulsa’s east side started feeling unsafe in neighborhoods they've called home for decades, it prompted many of them to reach out for help - and the city says it's listening.

"You and your neighbors are the first line of defense in nearly every situation," said District 6 councilor Connie Dodson.

She said she held the meeting after people living in the neighborhoods voiced concern about a perceived recent spike in crime.

In the last 72 hours, police responded to at least two incidents in District 6 where a gun was involved –including the shooting of a 15-year-old boy.

11/15/2016 Related Story: Tulsa Teen Speaks After Being Shot In Apparent Road Rage Incident

Resident Pat McCall said, "We're hearing that there's more crime in the area, and we're here to take steps to see what we can do about it."

McCall has lived in District 6 for 40 years and said it's much different now.

"There have been a lot of changes in the neighborhood since we've moved there," she said.

Tulsa police crime data shows, since June, District 6 has had five homicides, 10 rapes, 58 robberies, over 100 assaults, and nearly 200 burglaries.

Tulsa crime mapping shows that within the last 15 days, and just a couple blocks of where Tuesday night's meeting was, there was a car theft as well as a burglary.

But police say, compared to other years, the crime trends are similar. And Dodson said, “A lot of those are familiar relationships."

The councilor said one way to fight crime is introducing yourselves to your neighbors.

Dodson said, "You get to know what cars they drive, the people that you expect to see there, you know when something is different."

For McCall, it’s about staying alert - “We have to keep on our toes," she said.

With colder months ahead, TPD reminds you not to leave your car running to warm up because some people are looking and waiting for an opportunity to take your belongings, or worse, your car.