FOP: OKC Mayor Failed to Address Important Need in State of the City Address

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK-- As Oklahoma City Mayor Mick Cornett highlighted the city's growth and merits during the state of the city address, he also briefly touched on Oklahoma City's crime problem.

 "It feels like domestic violence is increasing, certainly our homicide numbers are going up," said Cornett.

Although Cornett emphasized Oklahoma City's policy of "no tolerance" for crime, John George, President of Oklahoma City's Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) says the mayor failed to mention the need for more police officers in Oklahoma City.

 "We don't have enough officers to respond to the calls," said George.

George says the Oklahoma City Police Department hasn't seen growth for 20-years.  He says with 1,000 people moving into Oklahoma City, and 2,000 people moving into the metro each month according to the US Census Bureau, it is important for the police force to grow with Oklahoma City's population.

 "Violent crimes have been steadily increasing the last several years," George explained.

Last year, Oklahoma City suffered 99 homicides, that's second to the all-time high of 102 homicides in 1979. 

Cornett said in his state of the city address, although the 99 homicides stir some alarm, the number of deaths per capita are still 35% below what it was in 1979.  George says by doing this, the mayor downplayed the importance of fighting violent crimes in Oklahoma City.

"We're a growing city, we're glad we're growing, there's been good things happening in this city, but the police department has to keep up with it," said George.

George says less officers on the force means lower response times.  George says right now officers respond to about 75% of calls within 10 minutes, the department's goal improve this response time to 95% of calls responded within 10 minutes, which can only be accomplished with more officers on the force.
FOP: OKC Mayor Failed to Address Important Need in State of the City Address

Posted: Thursday, January 24 2013, 10:26 PM CST