Tulsa Town - the Good, the Bad and the ugly
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11/11/2009
In a city of over 330,000 people there are going to be things to like and things not to.
When I first visited and then lived here about 10 years ago I was delighted. Running the park trails, meeting the variety of people, talking with the many people who are into faith and healing and doing kind things for each other. People were generally courteous, including the police. I felt safer than I had in a much smaller town in another state.
There were and still are nightclubs, bars and of course lots of tribal casinos if you're into that. I'm not. Those who are usually want more of them. Some of those we have specialize in music and pull some real talent, known and unknown. And now the BOK Center hosts a variety of big acts. There are museums and an orchestra and a ballet that's well regarded.
Things changed. Gang activity ramped up all over the city. A group of them moved into my apartment complex, often standing on the sidewalk glaring at residents who were simply walking in. Shots were fired, cops came but they never really investigated and blew off what witnesses tried to tell them actually happened. At least two murders happened while I was there that probably never made it into the statistics: Why stick your neck out when police shrug it off? People got defensive, less friendly, drugs proliferated, citizens got more attitude and speeding tickets from cops but crime kept rising. Infrastructure - roads, sewer pipes etc. - got worse while politicians dreamed up profitable projects to spend money on. Streets get sloppy patches that sometimes don't last a day. Rainwater inflow through cracking collector pipes loads the sewer plant in rainy weather and stinks up the whole western Arkansas River valley.
And at the risk of sounding racist, while there are some wonderful folks who are Hispanic here, the many "Illegales" include a large criminal element who have contributed greatly to the bad side of Tulsa - drugs, violence, theft. They bring a steady stream of stolen property into certain shops near the flea market. Lately they are big on carjacking at gunpoint. My son has twice escaped them by taking off quicker than they expected. A family in Little Mexico recently was not so lucky or fast. The father was shot dead by the carjackers as he tried to drive away.
Some efforts are being made to improve streets (some of which are the worst-maintained in America according to official studies) and police work on gangs. I think even the sewer system seems better lately.
There are still good people here. A co-worker from another area was amazed that when a fellow employee was injured near his home and running out of sick/vacation time, people donated part of theirs to help him through recovery. I love that about Tulsa.
I don't love that I'm afraid to run the park trails anymore. And that I, who hate conflict and violence, am seriously considering a pistol.
To survive.
Jacobus | Claremore, OK