North Tulsans Taking A Stand Against 'No Snitch' Culture

By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- North Tulsa residents are taking a stand against the ‘no snitch' culture.

This after a 27-year-old Tulsa man was shot to death outside a North Tulsa restaurant on Sunday. Tulsa police officers say more than 100 people saw Tony Verner dying in the parking lot of the Chicken Hut restaurant, 1500 East Apache. Only one person, Verner's sister, called 911.

"People were trying to walk over, on top of him and push around the EMSA and the firefighters as they're rendering aid, to get to that window to get their food," said Sgt. Mike Eckert, Tulsa Police.

Police say witnesses who refuse to cooperate with their investigation, or even leave anonymous tips, are a big problem in North Tulsa. 

Since Monday evening, officers found a black, Chevy Impala that they were looking for in connection to Verner's murder. However as of Tuesday afternoon, there has been only one anonymous tip into Crime Stoppers. 

Officers say that ‘no snitch' mentality has left too many families with a pain they say will never heal.

As Verner's family begins to grieve his death, news of the murder is being felt throughout North Tulsa. For Jason Trent, it hits close to home.

"They want to step over that man's body to get some chicken? Really? Come on now. We gotta be better people than that," said Jason Trent, a father who has experienced loss.

Trent's 18-year-old son was gunned down last year when he answered the door at a friend's house. Police say Jake Trent was not the intended target and he was not involved with gangs. About 30 people witnessed the shooting, but refused to cooperate.

"It just brings the whole thing back fresh in your memory, you know? That a, the person that's taken our child away from us is still roaming the streets," said Trent.

Trent opened up the Generation of Destiny Community Center last summer and dedicated it to his son.

"Long term, this is going to be a safe haven for our kids. Our kids have nothing to do out in North Tulsa," said Trent.

To solve the case, police need someone to call Crime Stoppers. Officers say it's frustrating because they hear the same thing over and over again at crime scenes.

"They might know the suspects personally, they might know of the suspect's possible violent criminal history and they might have been recognized at the scene," said Sgt. Ron Kawano, Tulsa Police.

By state law, Crime Stoppers is confidential. You're given a secret code number when you call, and use it to claim a reward. Police say it's hard having to face the families of victims and tell them no one is coming forward. 

The pain is all too real for Verner's sister, Renee McCaskill.

"596-COPS; I mean, it's anonymous. That's all you have to do," said McCaskill.

Police have still not identified any suspects in Tony Verner's murder.

Jason Trent is painting the inside of his community center this weekend. He says he's still looking for more volunteers. To help, call 918-521-7050. The community center is located at 4601 North Peoria in Tulsa. 

2/1/2010  Related Story: Sister Of Tulsa Homicide Victim Angry Due To Lack Of Information