Community, City Leaders: Improved Relations First Step In Fixing Constant Violence

A double homicide that killed a young mother and her friend is bringing folks in the community and city leaders together.

At a news conference Wednesday, they said they are fed up with the constant violence in their neighborhood.

Meshawna Jones, a mother of three, and her friend Markey Goff were shot and killed at Chamberlain Park Tuesday. Across has been placed nearby in their honor.

6/14/2016 Related Story: Two Found Shot To Death In SUV At Tulsa's Chamberlain Park

As gun violence continues, community members say improving the relationship between police and the public is the first step in fixing the problem.

State and city leaders, along with law enforcement and the public, are coming together to do something about the continued violence and crime.

State Senator Kevin Matthews said, "No individual entity is going to solve the problem. No individual person or elected official is going to solve the problem. We must work together."

Following the deadly shooting at Chamberlain Park, Matthew’s said he’s working with area businesses to pay for private security for certain areas.

While that's being organized, he said it's also time for people to speak up when they see crimes.

The state senator said, “We found that there’s been too much violence in this community and it needs to stop. The two people who were murdered are examples of that."

Many crimes go unsolved. Some of that falls on not having enough patrols, and strained relationships between police and citizens - police said they often have trouble getting people to talk.

"We look to reduce the crime and get involved more with the community," said Travis Stephens with the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office.

During a news conference, Tulsa police and Tulsa County Sheriff Fraternal Order of Police presented a check that will pay for four teenagers’ participation in the Urban Innovative Development Corp – a summer program geared toward providing constructive activities.

Stephens said, "We hope this shows we are people like everyone else. And people can call us for help and call us with information to help reduce and solve these things."

The community organization, Taking It To the Streets, is holding a "Stopping the Violence" festival this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at BS Roberts Park