Question about LaFortune, crime and TPD.

[GMThunder]

Ok.... I haven't been here for the last 3+yrs....so what's the scoop? I hear a lot of people talking about it but nobody can give me examples. What has the mayor done to tie the hands of TPD? What has he done to influence our rising murder/crime rate?

[blake711]

First thing is that he did have a class of officers for 2 years. He is making claims that he had the biggest class in history. Well after 2 years of attrition and retirements he had no choice. That is one of the main issues is that they are understaffed. Michael can go into more detail if he feels so inclined. Its also my understanding they don't have enough folks so they don't do the 4th shift anymore.

[bulbboy]

He also settled that racial lawsuit that pretty much called the TPD racist - I feel he never had their backs - MY opinion only -

[GMThunder]

So there is a shortage of TPD correct? and Lafortune has done nothing? or is there a lack of funds? or both?

[AresV]

So there is a shortage of TPD correct? and Lafortune has done nothing? or is there a lack of funds? or both?

This article explains it --> KOTV Article on LaFortune and the PD (http://www.kotv.com/main/home/stories.asp?whichpage=1&id=99930)

Basically, LaFortune did not run an academy class for a little over 2 years after he got elected. Through normal attrition the number of officers began to decline but he was not allowing the department to hire new ones. He finally let them have an academy in July of '04 when 36 finished the academy. He hired another 47 in January of 2005 and 45 graduated. In July of 2005, he hired 30 and 28 graduated. That's 109 police graduates who were hired by LaFortune.They are still understaffed because they aren't really making up for the 2 year period where no one was hired. They are just keeping staffing at about the same level.

There's another article on the overtime budget issue on the Tulsa World's site detailing why they need more officers than are currently on the streets right now. Here's a link --> TPD Overtime Budget Crunch (http://www.tulsaworld.com/EmailStoryDisplay.asp?ID=060305_Ne_A1_Staff32288)

I do know that they are going to have an academy this summer with 43 recruits in it.:D

I'm sure Michael Brown can add to this and give you a better idea on the actual number of officers that TPD is down from what is needed to get back to "pre-LaFortune" levels (which were still probably less than what is needed to be proactive).

[bulbboy]

He canceled police academies because of funding issues. Instead of cutting other services he cut SAFETY! Then we he did hire alot of officers this year he claimed it was the biggest in Tulsa history! Well yeah, because you didn't hire any for two years!! He also cut lights on the expressway to save $$ - not very bright! But at least he expanded the mayors staff!

[blake711]

The best part about cutting lights on teh expressway. One of my best friends works in Traffic and does the expressway lights. They get money from the state to keep up the expressway lights. The city pays a very small percentage of the cost and the State pays almost all of it. They got all over the city when they were basically stealing the money from the the expressway lights to fun Misfortunes other crap.

[USDefender]

Do you guys think that Taylor will be better than LaFortune regarding the safety of the average Tulsan? Because, I have my doubts.

I'm from Florida (Kathy Taylor's home state where she voted irregularly in the presidential election). I can tell you with certainty, she's as duplicitous & power hungry as other Florida liberals are.