Tensions high at Oklahoma County Commissioner's meeting regarding new jail site
The new Oklahoma County Jail location is now down to two sites. At Wednesday morning’s Oklahoma County Commissioner meeting, tensions were high and public comment lasted hours. People were fired up.
OKLAHOMA COUNTY (KFOR) — The new Oklahoma County Jail location is now down to two sites. At Wednesday morning’s Oklahoma County Commissioner's meeting, tensions were high and public comment lasted hours. People were fired up.
One location is at 15th and East Grand Boulevard in southeast Oklahoma City. The Mid-Del community has been fighting for it to be officially removed from the list, and Oklahoma County Commissioners have voted that location off at least three times before.
The second location is at the Stockyards property, which landowners say is not for sale. It would force commissioners to use eminent domain to build on that site.
Emotions were running high at the Commissioner's meeting on Wednesday. Tears were shed and passion was expressed as people voiced their concerns. The Mid-Del community put county officials in the hot seat, frustrated that the location at 15th and East Grand is still on the list of possibilities.
“You represent me, you represent, and you work for me in the work for these people,” said Jess Eddy, community activist.
The Mid-Del community brought numbers to the Oklahoma County Commissioner's meeting on Wednesday. Some public comments towards commissioners got heated. A few even went over the three-minute time limit to get their point across.
“I will continue to speak, and I will be up here as long as I need to. And I will continue to come up here and I will continue to take more than my two or three minutes that you give me because I am upset and I'm over it. And I really believe that you guys are playing with us. You guys are using us as pawns,” said Claudia Browne, Del City Council, Ward 3.
Del City Police Chief Lloyd Berger also expressed his concern. He said if the location on Grand is chosen, it would pose an unprecedented threat to the public safety of Del City residents. He also adds that no one has communicated with him.
“Listen to the people. Nobody has approached us. Nobody has said, hey, if we come this close, how can we help? We'll give you 24 extra officers. Can we reassure your citizens? Nobody's even. They don't care,” said Berger.
“He's attended meetings here and given us a statement. We've factored in his considerations. We're also factoring in those of other communities who have already been eliminated from the list,” said Brian Maughan, Oklahoma County Commissioner.
Also, on the list of possibilities, the location at the Oklahoma City Stockyards which landowners say is not for sale. It would force commissioners to use eminent domain, something Oklahoma County Commissioner Brian Maughan has been openly against.
“We've got schools in our area as well. So we have a school 7/10 of a mile from us. I just want to make sure if a school factor is in play, it should be in play for every district across the board should be equal,” said Jerry Reynolds, president of Oklahoma National Stockyards.
Before public comment, architects shared their findings after evaluating nearly 14 jail sites. They shared a list of cons regarding the current jail site in downtown Oklahoma City and why it would not be a good option.
Someone representing the group said, “I think if you consider all of the challenges we can imagine, scandal of costs is really, I think, one of the least desirable locations that would work there.”
The current Oklahoma County Jail location has not been officially removed from the list; however, Oklahoma County Commissioners are not considering it at the moment.
”I don't suspect that we're going to pursue trying to chase the downtown site,” said Maughan.
Wednesday’s meeting went into recess for a few hours so one of the commissioners could review multiple sites that they have zoning questions about. Oklahoma County Commissioner Myles Davidson went to the City of Oklahoma City to get answers. KFOR has a crew there now to report what happens when they return from executive session.
After returning from recess, Oklahoma County Commissioner’s went back into executive session.
Oklahoma County Commissioners did mention a site that was taken off the list near the airport at the southwest corner of SW 74th and Rockwell. They say it is possible we may see more sites like that added back to next week's agenda. KFOR will bring you the latest when we know more.