Tulsa Operation SAFE Is Now Underway
On September 4th, Governor Stitt launched operation SAFE in order to restore safety and cleanliness to Tulsa. The operation calls for the removal of homeless encampments and tents. State troopers were told to offer individuals two choices, a ride to a housing facility or a ride to jail for refusing to cooperate.
"OHP completed its work in Tulsa under Operation SAFE. They completed this work with the most courtesy and professionalism," said Governor Stitt. "In 14 days, OHP cleared 64 sites and disposed of 1.97 million pounds of debris. Now, it is up to Mayor Nichols and Tulsa officials to ensure state and local laws are enforced and camps are not reestablished. OHP will continue to monitor state property and will return to enforce state law if necessary."
Some do not think that Stitt is taking the right approach to this problem, as many homeless shelters are already above max capacity. Along with this problem, troopers are reportedly not driving homeless individuals to housing facilities. Instead, there are claims that they are driving them down the road and leaving them there with no belongings as they have already been thrown away.
Chair of the Tulsa Regional Chamber of Commerce, Bill Knight voiced support for the Governor’s action: "Tulsa’s business community supports leadership that prioritizes the safety of those who live and work within our city and region. We appreciate the governor’s actions to enforce the laws and bolster Tulsa's pursuit to enhance quality of life. This initiative complements the ongoing efforts by various Tulsa entities, reinforcing our collective commitment to addressing complex issues like homelessness and public safety.”
Governor Stitt plans on continuing the operation until all unauthorized encampments are gone. He also is not against applying operation SAFE to other cities if he feels it is needed. Others, like Mayor Nichols, argue that the operation will not be a success. They say that the problem isn’t being solved, just being moved to another location. Governor Stitt emphasized that while the state took action on state-owned land, long-term safety and maintenance on city property remains the responsibility of city leadership.
