Tulsa Police Explore Solutions To Violent Crime Near 61st & Peoria

As shootings and crime plagues the area around 61st and Peoria, several organizations are working together to help. On Tuesday evening, March 22, Tulsa Crime Stoppers will host a community meeting at Spirit Life Church to discuss it.

"What we're doing tomorrow night is bringing everybody together, all stakeholders, all business leaders, all residents of that area to get together to listen to what we are doing," said Karen Gilbert, the executive director of Tulsa Crime Stoppers.

Gilbert said in recent years, crime in the area has increased. According to TPD, there have been seven homicides and dozens of shootings since the start of 2021.

"The residents out there just feel like they're on an island by themselves and that nobody's paying attention to what is happening to their island," said Gilbert.

Gilbert said Tulsa Crime Stoppers has been going door to door in the area, handing out brochures with their tip line, setting up an alert neighbor program, and teaching residents what to look for.

In addition to Gilbert's presentation, Tulsa Police will also attend the meeting to showcase new license plate readers coming to the area.

"We're in the, right now, permitting phase,” said Captain Jacob Johnston, with TPD. “We're trying to contact different groups that have the right of way or the property we're going to be putting the devices on."

Johnston said the department is partnering with a company called Flock Safety and Axon Technology to install an initial 25 license plate readers in high crime areas, like 61st and Peoria.

"If there's a wanted vehicle or some vehicle of interest, it sends an alert either through email or text," said Johnston.

Johnston said the readers should be ready in about six weeks. He will answer more questions about it at the meeting on Tuesday.

The meeting starts at 5:30pm and is open to the public.