TULSA – City leaders and law enforcement came together Wednesday to call for an end to violence after two bodies were discovered in a car at a local park.
Overall, State Senator Kevin Matthews and City Councilor Jack Henderson spoke about increasing private security in north Tulsa and encouraged citizens to unify and contact police if they see something.
The event came just a day after Meshawna Jones, 26, and Markey Goff, 31, were found with gunshot wounds in a parked car at Chamberlain Park.
Friends and loved ones gathered online Tuesday to remember the pair and offer condolences.
“We feel that we cannot standby and allow this violence to continue. And so if anyone knows anything about the persons that we think may have done this, please come forward,” said Senator Kevin Matthews.
Senator Matthews applauded efforts by Tulsa police and the sheriff’s office to have a presence in north Tulsa but added that community business leaders are working together right now for the private security company NorthStar to patrol the area as well.
“Several of us business owners have already secured a verbal agreement with him, that he will start to patrol this area,” added Matthews.
Councilor Henderson and Tulsa FOP President Patrick Stephens say Tulsa police staffing remains an issue but Henderson says that shouldn’t stop anyone from speaking up when they see someone committing a crime.
"The one thing we know for sure that we can end the violence when citizens stand up and take charge and give people up that they know who have committed crimes,” said Henderson.
Senator Matthews says private patrols are expected to begin near Apache and MLK in the next 30 days.
Also on Wednesday, police and sheriff’s FOP organizations presented a $2,400 to the urban innovative development corporation to enroll kids in a summer camp focused economic development.
