Public Safety

Building a Safer Tulsa.

By Monroe Nichols

As someone who has spent my entire life in and around law enforcement, public safety has always been personal. Growing up with a father who was a police officer and a mother who was a probation officer, I saw firsthand the importance of keeping communities safe while recognizing that true safety goes beyond enforcement—it requires prevention, intervention, and rehabilitation. This experience shaped my values and has driven my work as a state legislator and advocate for criminal justice reform. Now, I want to bring that same commitment to the city of Tulsa to help make our home the safest big city in the country.

Recognizing the Inter-connectivity of Policy Solutions

It cannot go unsaid that tackling Tulsa’s most challenging issues— homelessness, education, and affordable housing—directly impacts public safety. Recognizing the inter-connectivity of these policy areas is essential. For instance, ending homelessness by 2030, improving student outcomes, co-governing with our Tribal Nations, and increasing access to affordable housing and economic opportunity all help reduce crime and make Tulsa a safer city. A holistic approach that connects these key policy areas will ensure a stronger, safer Tulsa.

A Personal Commitment to Justice

As a state legislator, I fought for fundamental reforms that could make our criminal justice system more effective, transparent, and fair. One of the issues I’m most proud of addressing was Oklahoma’s backlog of untested rape kits.

In Tulsa, we face similar challenges. Our violent crime rate is higher than both the state and national averages, and too many neighborhoods suffer from repeat violence. That is unacceptable. I believe we can turn the tide and create a city where all residents feel safe, and law enforcement works hand-in-hand with the community. However, this will require bold leadership and a comprehensive plan that prioritizes crime prevention while holding those who pose a danger to the community accountable.

A Vision for the Safest City in the Country

My vision for Tulsa is ambitious but achievable. I want to make Tulsa the safest big city in the country, and I believe we can do that by combining prevention programs, rehabilitation opportunities, and tough enforcement where necessary. Here’s how I plan to get us there:

Prevention through Mentorship and Community Programs I’ve seen firsthand the power of prevention. One of the best ways to reduce crime is by investing in people, particularly young people, before they end up on the wrong path. I’m committed to expanding mentoring programs and leveraging our parks department to ensure youth can find support, guidance, and a safe space close to home. Every young person we can keep out of the criminal justice system is a victory, and it starts with making sure they have opportunities to succeed.

Addressing Repeat Offenders While prevention is crucial, we must also deal with the reality of repeat offenders. These individuals contribute disproportionately to crime, and we cannot allow them to continue threatening our neighborhoods. As mayor, I will be aggressive in ensuring law enforcement has the resources to get dangerous individuals off the streets while giving those who want to change their lives that opportunity.

Ending the Backlog of Untested Rape Kits in Tulsa When I worked to end the backlog of rape kits at the OSBI, I promised victims their cases would no longer be ignored. I will make the same promise to the people of Tulsa. Far too many rape kits remain untested in the Tulsa Police Department, leaving victims without answers and violent criminals at large. I will push to ensure that every rape kit is promptly tested so that justice is served and predators are off the streets.

Smart, Data-Driven Policing We need to be smarter about fighting crime in Tulsa. That means investing in data-driven policing techniques that target criminal hot spots and allocate resources where they’re most needed. By using technology and data effectively, we can reduce response times, increase the effectiveness of investigations, and prevent crime before it happens. I believe in giving law enforcement the tools to do their jobs better, and this is one way to achieve that.

Building Trust with Community Policing and Revitalizing Neighborhoods A safer Tulsa will only happen if there is trust between law enforcement and the community. That’s why I’m committed to a community policing model where officers are not only enforcers of the law but also partners and protectors like my dad was. We can build relationships based on trust and mutual respect by embedding officers in the neighborhoods they serve. Additionally, we will invest in cleaning up our neighborhoods, removing blight and restoring pride in our community as we build toward a better future. When communities are part of the solution, we will see real progress in reducing crime.

The Path Forward

Making Tulsa the safest city in the country may be challenging, but I am confident we can achieve it. It requires a balanced approach that prioritizes prevention, takes a hard stance on repeat offenders, and builds trust between law enforcement and the community. As someone who has spent my career fighting for criminal justice reform and safer communities, I’m ready to lead this effort in Tulsa.

Together, we can create a city where everyone feels safe, victims receive the justice they deserve, young people have bright futures, and our neighborhoods are free from violence. This is the Tulsa I believe in, and this is the Tulsa I will fight for.

BOTTOM LINE GOALS

• Make Tulsa the Safest Big City in America 

• Reduce crime in the Tulsa’s most violent prone areas by focusing on deterrence and intervention strategies 

• Invest in neighborhood revitalization initiatives 

• Reduce the domestic violence rates and end the backlog on rape kit testing 

• Ensure we are meeting the mental health crisis needs of Tulsans needing support

WHY IT MATTERS

• Tulsa’s murder rate is rising, projected to be up 31% over last year

• Oklahoma is #1 in the nation in domestic violence and Tulsa County rates are the highest in the state

• Rape in Tulsa is 39% higher than Oklahoma City 

• Tulsa Police Department is over 130 officers short of its authorized force level 

HOW TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS

• Use data and intelligence to focus on those doing crime 

• Fully fund alternative response teams to ensure law enforcement is not having to handle mental health issues 

• Achieve functional zero homelessness by 2030

• Co-govern with our Tribal leaders to ensure the swift administration of justice in our city  

• Improve student outcomes through an aggressive approach to keeping students in schools 

• Invest in neighborhood revitalization and aggressively remove blight 

• Partner with re-entry programs that offer wrap-around services to reduce recidivism rates