Concerns have arisen among Oklahoma lawmakers and citizens alike following a recent decision by the state's Department of Public Safety that hints at a shift in law enforcement responsibilities on its busiest highways. Rep. Ross Ford, R-Broken Arrow, vocalized his opposition to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol's (OHP) announcement to withdraw from patrolling interstate highways in Tulsa and Oklahoma City starting November 1, leaving local police departments to pick up the slack. Ford emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong patrol presence, "I'm against the Patrol pulling manpower from these densely populated areas," he said and expressed concern for public safety in a statement obtained by the Oklahoma House of Representatives website.
The anticipated pullout, slated to occur later this year, has stirred dialogue around the implications for traffic safety and enforcement. Implementation of such a decision would shift the burden to local police, and although Ford, a former Tulsa Police officer himself, expressed his belief in the city's ability to adapt his concern lies with whether it should have to take on such an additional task, "It shouldn't have to," he stated on the Oklahoma House of Representatives, pointing out that troopers are key in mitigating incidents such as driving under the influence and handling the aftermath of highway collisions – a role that, when withdrawn, could lead to increased public safety risks.
Ford chairs the House Appropriations and Budget Public Safety Subcommittee and he has indicated his intention to delve deeper into the decision-making process of the Department of Public Safety (DPS). His goal is to assess the rationale behind the redistribution of Highway Patrol resources, their current areas of responsibility, and to consider whether DPS has exceeded its regulatory authority with this move. Scrutinizing the approach to law enforcement jurisdiction within the state statutes could be a critical factor in addressing this issue.
Ford plans to seek further clarity and information from DPS and the Highway Patrol.
