Police were caught off guard when a racial-justice demonstration escalated into an hours-long confrontation in front of police headquarters last year, according to a Police Department review of the response.
Thirty-six hours of peaceful demonstrations punctuated by civil unrest occurred May 30-31 in Oklahoma City, following the death in Minneapolis of George Floyd, a Black man who died after a police officer knelt on his neck. Floyd's death, recorded by bystanders and watched by millions, sparked protests across the country and raised anew questions about racial disparities in police responses, as well as concerns about law enforcement tactics, training and funding.
Oklahoma County District Attorney David Prater warned Mayor David Holt against appearing at racial unity events last year with a man who was later charged with terrorism for his alleged role in civil unrest.
The man, Eric Ruffin, was accused by authorities of encouraging burning of a sheriff's van and an attempt to burn a bail bonds office. Police said he recorded the events on Facebook Live.
The events in downtown Oklahoma City occurred May 30 as demonstrations swept the nation over the death of George Floyd, a Black man who died after a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his neck.
In a June 10 email to Holt and police Chief Wade Gourley, Prater said Ruffin was "directly involved in burning of the OKSO van and other
Oklahoma City had crews running "every which way" Monday to stop leaks contributing to unrelenting water demand despite the retreat of freezing weather, Utilities spokeswoman Jennifer McClintock said.
Afternoon temperatures hit the low 60s, a far cry from below-zero weather that wreaked havoc last week.
Utilities crews, in some instances, were responding to reports from neighbors of water literally flowing out of vacant houses with broken pipes, McClintock said.
Tests showed water remained safe to drink through several days of low water pressure last week. After conducting 55 targeted tests, the department returned to its normal testing schedule.
After last week's freezing weather, potholes are inevitable. The city relies on residents' reports to stay ahead of street and pothole repairs. Here's how to report deteriorating neighborhood street conditions (be sure to have an address): Click the "Report it" button at okc.gov and follow the prompts; email action.center@okc.gov; text 405-252-1053; or call the Action Center at 405-297-2535.
Of note: The Public Works Department normally repairs 80,000 potholes per year, with a goal of filling them within three days of receiving a report. The city council authorizes payment of thousands of dollars in drivers' claims each year for damage resulting from potholes.
A voluntary boil advisory is in effect through the weekend in Oklahoma City based on a recommendation, issued statewide, by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Here are five things to know:
• Concern is greatest for residences that were without water for an extended period of time. Low water pressure alone does not compromise water quality, the city says. The advisory expires at 10 p.m. Sunday.
• Utilities Director Chris Browning says city water "is just as safe to drink as it has always been." Still, testing is being stepped up in areas where water main breaks or other factors interrupted service.