A public safety tax may be proposed to help Tulsa address its issues. The city’s public safety task force is out with its report.
The committee-chair Carol Bush says the number one problem is issues at the 911 Center in Tulsa. Often people are left on hold or treated rudely by 911 operators. Part of the problem is the non emergency call volume that has been flooding the 911
switchboards. Nearly half of the calls coming into the center are not considered emergencies.
The Task Force also recommends the city address the staffing shortages and the almost constant staffing turnover in the department.
Other issues include, police and fire staffing.
The Task Force recommended finding alternate funding sources to pay for the plans. That could include a public safety tax. Right now, public safety is paid for by sales tax funding.