Tulsa Police leaders discussed its 100-plus network of cameras, which departments can access the data and how long it’s stored at a Monday conversation.
Author Archives: Joe Tomlinson
Joe Tomlinson is the government reporter at the Tulsa Flyer. A Tulsa native, Joe’s career in journalism began after graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 2021. He spent three years covering the city of Edmond as a Report for America corps member with NonDoc Media before moving to Columbus to cover the Ohio statehouse with Hannah News. Joe spent his first year at the Flyer as the general assignment reporter, covering anything and everything in Tulsa. Now as the government reporter, he covers all things city government and civics.
Posted inGovernment
Inside Tulsa’s proposal to increase the hotel/motel tax for the first time in decades
The hike would fund improvements at BOK Center and other city-owned properties. Tulsa Day Center staff have discussed how the vote could cause more people to seek shelter services towards the end of each month.
Posted inGovernment
A split vote and abstention kills Tulsa City Council’s latest push to create a public safety oversight office
After a nearly five-hour committee meeting, Tulsa councilors were nowhere closer to consensus on a police monitor.
Posted inSchools & Families
As TPS weighs school closures, city leaders share concerns about impact beyond the classroom
Superintendents from Tulsa, Jenks and Union Public Schools met with city councilors to discuss the possibility of stacking resources and splitting costs as they all face declining enrollment and tighter budgets.
Posted inGovernment
Divided Tulsa council punts on decision for independent police monitor
Amid debate over how the city should oversee public safety agencies, councilors are moving their vote to Oct. 14.
Posted inGovernment
Broken Arrow asks federal court to dismiss lawsuit over rejected mosque proposal
Broken Arrow denies religious discrimination played a role in the vote and says councilors are immune from being sued. An expert on religious zoning law says the Islamic Society of Tulsa’s case has legs.
Posted inGovernment
Tulsa County has a new agreement with ICE that goes beyond the jailhouse to special task forces
Nine deputies are certified through a new 287(g) agreement to conduct immigration enforcement. None are on patrol.
Posted inGovernment
The debate over Flock Safety cameras is taking over Tulsa. This chief is pulling the plug — for now.
Chief Mike Bell says he’s taking heat for taking down the surveillance cameras — for now. Their use across Tulsa has sparked debate in the upcoming Aug. 25 election.
Posted inGovernment
National search or nah? Councilors clamor for culture change with next Tulsa police chief.
Several councilors want a national search for the city’s top cop, but Tulsa has historically hired internally. Mayor Monroe Nichols wants a new leader in place by the time the chief retires in September.
Posted inGovernment
‘An American matter’: Islamic Society of Tulsa files discrimination suit against Broken Arrow
Tulsa-area Muslim leaders say they were treated differently than other institutions in Broken Arrow. They point to email communications between councilors as further proof.
Posted inGovernment
Broken Arrow leaders were flooded with anti-Muslim emails on a proposed mosque. Here’s what they said behind closed doors.
City councilors say their decision to reject a new mosque in Broken Arrow was based on land use concerns. But some agreed with anti-Islamic sentiment in their inboxes. A federal investigation is underway.
Posted inGovernment
From ballots to ballets: What happens to leftover campaign cash when politicians lose or leave?
In Oklahoma, failed political hopefuls and outgoing incumbents are sitting on more than $1 million in unused donor dollars. The Tulsa Flyer is digging into the afterlife of unspent campaign cash to see exactly where that money goes and what the law allows.