A community court program in Tulsa could expand if city councilors find more money for it.
According to Court Administrator Kelly Brader, the community court program brought in $43,000 and cleared 4,500 warrants. But with the municipal court short staffed, she, another employee and a judge worked more than 60 hours a week while community court was being held.
Many people who attend community court are physically or mentally disabled and have a hard time going downtown to pay for tickets and warrants.
If there's an open checkbook, Brader said she needs $500,000.
"But can we work around that? Yeah, we can," Brader said. "I do need, you know, a few more staff to be able to make some changes, but I think it's really important that we address the people that are physically and [mentally] disabled."
Brader said just two more court employees would go a long way.
"I ran some numbers today. For two people to do that, it would be maybe $100,000," she said.
The community court sessions are held at city recreation centers. Brader said east Tulsa was the busiest location.
