Del City community members voice more concerns over new OK county jail

DEL CITY, Okla. (KFOR) — It was a packed room Tuesday night as city leaders and residents came together against the chosen location for a new Oklahoma County jail.

There was more outcry from residents in Del City saying they do not want the new jail in their backyard.

They are concerned for themselves, their neighbors and their kids. Del City leaders are prepared to take legal action if the jail ends up in their backyard.

"If you all remember, we did receive a resolution from our city council that said that we're not just going to accept this vote," JD Hock, Del City City Manager said. "We are going to put together a legal team and we are going to fight for what's right. I am happy to announce that we have not one, not two, but three legal firms working with us today."

Del City leaders are prepared for the next step if Oklahoma City leaders don't decide on another location for the new county jail.

"Our goal was not to fight them," Hock said. "Our goal was to find a proper location that doesn't involve it being in a residential area. It did not happen, so we have to move forward with this."

Community members voiced their concerns and asked questions on why other locations, like the current jail location, won't work.

"There, the money follows the money," Del City resident said. "The money is going over there. It does not help Oklahoma County and Oklahoma City to have the jail in the middle of a thriving downtown, so they they're going to put it on us."

Some even saying their neighbors plan to leave Del City if the jail is built in their backyard.

"I've talked to a lot of my neighbors and a lot of my neighbors are telling me that if the jail is approved, they're selling their house, they're moving out, they're going to find another place to live," Del City resident said.

One community member said he experienced what is was like living next to a jail.

"I lived in Pottawatomie County, in Shawnee, Oklahoma, and worked as a corrections for a detention officer for Pottawatomie County," Del City resident said. "I've seen it firsthand. I've come home working a 12 hour shift and I have someone sleeping on my porch, my covered porch that I helped release from jail not even 5 hours ago."

Joe White Jr. with White and Weddle Law Firm is one of the firms ready to represent Del City if they plan to pursue legal action.

He said his team will be at the planning commission meeting on April 11th, and plan to ask questions on the legality of putting the jail at the location on Grand.