Tulsa Police, Downtown Partnership Discuss Homelessness Initiatives

Tulsa Police met with the Downtown Tulsa Partnership on Monday for their regular meeting to update the public on several new initiatives. Homelessness was among the most talked about topics. 

Speakers at the meeting said homelessness in Tulsa is increasing, but nonprofits are working on solutions to find people housing.

Several people gathered at the library in downtown Tulsa on Monday to talk about issues facing people living in the IDL. The increasing homeless population was top of mind. 

“We know that this is an issue for Tulsa, it's an issue across the U.S. and so we're really excited about new initiatives that will help take care of people that are experiencing homelessness in Tulsa,” says Sarah Grounds with City Lights Foundation.

She updated folks on a plan to transform an old nursing home near Mohawk Park into a transitional housing center for people experiencing homelessness. She says the next step is getting zoning approval. 

“We don't have a zoning for that use in Tulsa so we're going to have to do a special exception to be able to use that facility,” says Grounds.

People at the forum also heard from Tulsa Police, who say they're starting a pilot program to help grocery stores recover stolen shopping carts. 

“We come across people that have removed shopping carts from retailers, then that retailer will be able to work with us, sign a document that gives us the authority to take that back on their behalf,” says Captain Ryan Woods.

He says the program is not meant to target the homeless.

“We are not charging them with larceny of merchandise because they are homeless, we are charging them because they violated someone else’s rights by taking something that did not belong to them.” 

Some people in the meeting voiced concern about what will happen to the personal property inside shopping carts that are seized, Tulsa police say they plan on working with the city to create a solution.