Citizens, city discuss ways to fight spate of violence
BY SCOTT RAINS STAFF WRITER SRAINS@LAWTON-CONSTITUTION.COM
Lawton’s police chief James T. Smith offered sane words surmising the comments between cops and community Thursday night during an open forum at City Hall. “I don’t have the answers for everything, but we can put our heads together and find our answers,” Smith said. “Please get involved in your community.” Unity was the one weapon identified as being essential in bettering the community. Smith and chief investigators for his police department were joined by city officials and dozens of members of Lawton’s community in the City Council Chambers to discuss the rising number of local violent crimes and ways that all can work together to curb its impact. Mayor Fred Fitch began the forum by stating how glad he was to see the number of people in the audience who gave up a portion of their evening to join together and look for solutions to the serious subject. He then introduced Smith as a “distinguished choice” made by the city council when he
was hired following a nationwide search. “The nation has seen a rise in violent crime and in the last few years we’ve seen a rise in violent crime in the city,” Smith said, “but that doesn’t mean we need to accept that as fact here.” Smith said he is encouraged by the dedication and motivation of his police officers bur stressed that crime activity is not just a police issue — it’s a community issue. One of the key ingredients in forming a partnership between police and community is communication, he said. “We are very diligently working on the issues we’re facing but we need you to help,” Smith said. LPD Capt. Craig Akard, head of the Criminal Investigation Division, caught the audience up to speed on some open cases and addressed the recent rise of violence. He said that investigators are working on eight open homicide cases. Akard said prior to the meeting that investigators are working on another case that has not been classified as a homicide but is being investigated as one. He said that of those open cases, work has not ceased and that it only means there’s not enough information to file a charge yet. Akard noted that there have been 16 homicides which brings Lawton’s total to its highest number since 1976 — another death classified as a homicide was the result of an officer-involved shooting. In prior interviews and at the forum, Akard stressed that there is no overall pattern or common denominator to the majority of the cases. But one could be found if people with information picked up a phone and called Crime Stoppers. “It is a community problem throughout the whole city,” Akard said. “If you call, you may give just that one little bit of information that helps us solve one of those homicides.” City Councilman Michael Tenis offered the suggestion that Crime Stoppers could up its $1,000 reward offer to $5,000 to perhaps lure someone to share information, though he took a jab at the program. “They certainly have the money to do it,” he said. Smith said that the program is following the national model but that the idea is being looked into and could offer a good incentive for someone to call. Stacy Turner, the wife of a LPD detective, assured the audience that the police are putting their effort into their cases — “I have not seen my husband often lately.” A concern she voiced was that, even with money available, Crime Stoppers’ public awareness has dwindled and suggested that it be revamped so that it reaches the city’s youth. Youth became the central target for much of the evening’s discussion. With a good-sized audience inside the council chambers, perhaps a half-dozen faces were under the age of 30. No teenagers were seen in attendance and none participated in the night’s dialogue. As discussion turned to ways to keep youth from dipping into trouble, Mayor Fitch noted that there are a lot of activities available for families in Lawton but that it’s what happens or doesn’t happen after those activities that affects us all. He said it’s not just a local problem but a “cultural problem.” “There’s been a terrible breakdown in parenting,” Fitch said. “It seems like society’s not taking responsibility at home.” Michael Bradley told the panel that he’s worked for about 40 years with kids and suggested that investigators are missing out on prime information. “Teenagers offer the biggest pool of information in this city,” he said. Willie Smith, pastor at Bethel Baptist Church, said that using preventative measures and outreach could make a difference with kids. Others cited that available resources, such as church gyms or after-school programs, have quietly gone to the wayside and challenged their fellow citizens to do their part. A Stop the Violence Prayer Walk was held Monday. Put together by several church leaders, the walk showed unified citizens walking together on the city’s southside before encircling Sanders Heights Apartments with a prayer chain of linked hands. Colina Van Pool, who moved here in December 2009, said that, while youths received a large portion of the attention during discussion, their real needs haven’t been addressed. She suggested that teens be brought into the discussion that seemingly centered on them. “You can’t treat them like the bane of the community and then complain when they occupy themselves with something,” Van Pool said. With the abundance of church-related suggestions during the discourse, Van Pool, a member of the Lawton Area Secular Society, reminded that not everybody in the community is affiliated but that everybody in the community has a stake in making it better. Willie Guest, who lives on the city’s southwest side, offered the suggestion that there be a position for a citizens’ committee or liaison to facilitate better communication and overcome people’s fear of the police. “In our community, there is this wall,” he said. Smith agreed that an open dialogue is imperative. “We’ve got to break down that blue wall,” Smith said. “The blue wall will not exist here.” One way encouraged to further help the cause is through involvement in Neighborhood Watch, Citizens Police Academy and the Sentinel program with the LPD, Smith said. “It’s not like on TV,” Smith said. “We can not solve a crime in only an hour.” When asked about putting more officers on the department, Fitch said that a disparity in wages for a Lawton officer compared to elsewhere has made upping the force numbers difficult. He said quality of recruits is one issue but funding is another that has to be balanced. Fitch suggested that for more feet on the streets, there would have to be an increase to the sales tax base with the revenue reflected. For now, money spent is being maneuvered where its emphasis can make the most impact, he said. “This is a problem we have here and it’s going to be addressed,” Fitch said. “You have to recognize that the cost of living for the City is going up, too.” The Chief said that, while the department can always use more officers, the task comes with better utilization of the resources available and make better use of them. Linda Stewart said that she came to the forum to learn what she could do to help her community. She told how police cruisers will pass through her neighborhood in the 600 block of Southwest Sedalia Avenue and suggested that officers stop and develop relationships with the people who live there. “If you show yourself to be friendly, when there are problems, it’s more likely they will talk with you,” Stewart said. Not afraid to point out criminal activity when she sees it, Elaine Cross said it seems to her that one way or another almost all crime is tied to drugs. “Lawton police and citizens of Lawton, we all need to band together — we’re all on the same team,” Cross said. “Don’t be afraid to point that finger and call them out like I do.” Smith encouraged that type of community action but cautioned about escalation. “Don’t take action into your own hands — give us a call,” Smith said. “But be involved, be brave citizens. Be a good neighbor and look out for each other.”