Crime Crackdown Working

Friday, October 5th 2007, 6:00 am

By: News On 6

The effort continues to build a safer Tulsa. Police in Tulsa have spent a month cracking down on crime. Now, the department is handing out grade cards to let the officers know how successful they have been.

The latest effort is already paying off reports News On 6 anchor Latoya Silmon.

Last month, the Tulsa Police Department started the "Safe City Initiative". For 30 days, Tulsa police have kept tabs on known bad guys, individual apartment complexes and neighborhoods with high crime, and bars and nightclubs tied to crime.

â€The whole police department is engaged in fighting crime. Crime is down. I know our guys are making the difference,â€ says Tulsa Police Captain Matt Kirkland.

The proof is in the numbers according to Captain Kirkland. During the initiative, they arrested 30 career criminals, seized 11 firearms, and cleared 32 felony warrants.

â€œTo me the difference is we are arresting these guys for felony charges where hopefully they'll go away for prison time and be out of population for quite a while,â€ said Tulsa Police Captain Matt Kirkland.

Tulsa Police Chief Ron Palmer and Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor say that's exactly what Tulsa needs to really curb crime.

â€œThe strategy is really about working together to gather that data, and work with the officers on the beat. Work with the neighborhoods to make sure our city is safe one neighborhood at a time,â€ said Mayor Kathy Taylor.

The Tulsa Police Department plans to give officers a progress report every 30 days for 3 months. If the success continues, the department may continue the "Safe City Initiative".

Watch the video: Safe City Effort Working