Cracking down on Tulsa's drug houses

Thursday, July 3rd 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

Tulsa city leaders are using a new approach to crack down on drug houses. Tulsaâ€™s mayor made the announcement Thursday at City Hall with members of law enforcement and city councilors at his side.

News on 6 reporter Heather Johnson says with the recent spate of shootings and an increase in drug activity in Tulsa, the mayor says it's vital that citizens help reclaim our city.

Officials will be more strictly enforcing a nuisance abatement law already on the books, holding landlords accountable for drug activity at their properties. After police investigate a citizen complaint, and possibly make an arrest, the city will send a letter to the property owner, warning that drug activity must be stopped within 30 days, or the landlord could face fines and jail time.

Tulsa County DA Tim Harris, "This is one more weapon law enforcement can use to reclaim neighborhoods for the citizens we serve, where there's drugs being sold, there's guns. Where there's guns there's violence there's death and great bodily injury, especially to our children." Officials say residents are the key to this plan, because they are in the best position to notice neighborhood drug activity.

Citizens may report suspected drug houses confidentially by calling Crime Stoppers at 596-COPS, or the Mayor's Action Center at 596-2100.

City councilors say this plan has worked in other cities. In Baton Rouge, officials reported a 30% reduction in homicides.