TULSA, Okla. — The Tulsa Police Department is opening a new division downtown in August.
The City of Tulsa and the Tulsa Police Department announced this during a joint press conference.
Police Chief Larsen said the new division will benefit the entire department.
"This new division will provide relief department-wide with new beat boundaries for all 4 of our patrol divisions," Larsen said.
It's been 15 years since TPD reevaluated its patrolling areas and an additional 35 years since a new division was created. The decision comes as more people continue to move to the downtown area, creating a need for increased patrols.
"There's nearly 2 billion dollars invested in downtown since 2008. More than 3000 new residential units," Chief Larsen said." It was time to reevaluate for a fourth patrol division," The Chief said.
Those who live downtown have been vocal about safety concerns. 2 News previously reported about TPD's efforts to curb violence through different task forces.
The move also stems from a downtown task force created over the summer after several crimes occurred in the area, which led to a curfew for minors downtown.
Previous Coverage>>>CURFEW UPDATE: TPD recounts significant downtown curfew incident
"Folks here at the Tulsa Police Department, partners we have with the city council, obviously the mayor's office, the chamber, and all of our downtown stakeholders who really put our heads together to figure out the types of measures we might implement to address those concerns," Mayor Monroe Nichols said.
The new division, which will be located in the former Family Safety Center, will include a major and two captains. It's not clear how many officers will be assigned to the area.
Despite an ongoing officer shortage, the chief says the department is working to ensure all divisions are fully staffed.
"We're restructuring our divisions using the same number of patrol officers. To meet the needs of the city," Larsen said.
It will cover multiple areas, including Greenwood, IDL, Cherry Street, the Pearl District, Gathering Place, the Arts District, 18th and Boston, and 23rd and Jackson.
2 News went out to listen to neighbors in the new boundary and met Hannah Davis, who lives near Cherry Street. She says the added patrol presence is welcome news.
"I love walking my dog around here, sitting out on my porch, enjoying the weather, all that," Davis said.
"I already feel like it's safer over here, and then having that extra layer of safety on top of that is awesome," Davis said.
Davis is grateful city leaders are taking action.
"It's definitely nice to know that the police are aware of it and that now there's actually something happening and the mayor's aware and stuff is being done to make a change," Davis said.
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere --
- 2 News Oklahoma on your schedule | Download on your TV, watch for free. How to watch on your streaming device
- Download our free app for Apple, Android and Kindle devices.
- Like us on Facebook
- Follow us on Instagram
- Watch LIVE 24/7 on YouTube
