Oklahoma City Arrests Made in Ongoing Operation SAFE
- mike33692
- 22 minutes ago
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Homeless Encampment Sweep Leads to Arrests Under Operation SAFE
State Pushes Forward With Cleanup of Homeless Encampments
Efforts to clear homeless encampments from state-owned property in Oklahoma City are continuing under Governor Kevin Stitt’s Operation SAFE, an initiative launched in late October aimed at removing camps located under highways, bridges, and other state-controlled public spaces. The state says the program is intended to address safety hazards, reduce fire risks, and connect individuals to available services.
The operation is a coordinated effort involving the Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) and the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT), with troopers and crews conducting site-by-site cleanouts at known encampments. Similar removals have taken place over the past several weeks, particularly under interstate overpasses.
OHP Arrests Three After Refusal to Leave State Property
On Monday, OHP troopers arrested three homeless individuals who refused to vacate an encampment located on state property in Oklahoma City. All three were transported to the Oklahoma County Detention Center and booked on complaints of “using state property for purposes other than official business,” a misdemeanor offense often used when individuals refuse to leave restricted government-owned land.
Officials say this was not the first interaction with the individuals. According to the Governor’s office, multiple attempts were made prior to Monday’s arrests to connect the group with services—including housing options and social service outreach—but those offers were declined.
Governor’s Office Says Services Were Offered Before Arrests
In a written statement, the Governor’s office emphasized that arrests are considered a “last resort” under Operation SAFE, stating:
“Individuals are encouraged to connect with services and offered housing options. In this case, the action on state-owned property was taken after previous offers were declined.”
The state has said Operation SAFE will continue in the coming weeks, with troopers and transportation crews expected to carry out additional clearings in high-traffic and high-visibility areas. No timeline for the operation’s conclusion has been announced.