Senator Standridge Commends Operation SAFE Action in Norman

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. Lisa Standridge, R-Norman, issued the following statement today commending Gov. Kevin Stitt for expanding Operation SAFE (Swift Action for Families Everywhere) to clear a homeless encampment from state-owned property in Norman.

“The City of Norman is a true example of the Oklahoma Standard when it comes to caring for others. My heartfelt thanks go to those who give their time, resources and services to care for individuals in crisis. While many choose to accept help — whether as a step toward recovery or a pathway to employment — there are also some who remain in crisis, ultimately creating serious safety concerns for the community as a whole.

“Operation SAFE was implemented in Norman today to bring opportunities for assistance to those in need while also restoring order and safety to our community. The encampment that was cleared brought many concerns and potential solutions to light as we once again confront the complex and multifaceted challenges associated with a growing homeless population in our beautiful city.

“During the time this encampment existed, there was a suspicious death and several reported incidents of violence. I applaud Governor Kevin Stitt and his team for recognizing the severity of these dangers and for enforcing our laws to address threats to public safety. We must do our best to ensure that this level of lawlessness is never again accepted or normalized.

“The efforts undertaken today strengthened the working relationships between city, county and state law enforcement agencies in the shared mission of making Norman safer for everyone. On every level of public safety, government agencies fulfilled their responsibilities today, and for that I am both proud and grateful.”