Oklahoma Highway Patrol announced last week it will be reallocating resources to areas of the state with the greatest need for a Patrol presence as of Nov. 1.
In a press release issued July 3, OHP said it is confident law enforcement agencies in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa metropolitan areas are equipped to provide public safety services on the portions of the interstates traveling through those cities. OHP will shift its resources out of those areas to Oklahoma's interstates and highways that have a significant volume of traffic covered by a smaller law enforcement footprint. The move will allow OHP to adapt to the evolving needs of our state, according to the press release.
In the Oklahoma City metro, OHP will entrust responsibility for all interstates inside the incorporated city limits to Oklahoma City, Edmond, Moore, Norman, Midwest City, and Del City. In the Tulsa metro, OHP will entrust responsibility for all Interstates inside the incorporated city limits to Tulsa. All interstates within these boundaries are the responsibility of the respective municipalities.
OHP said it will continue refining this plan for Troop realignment as the Nov. 1 transition approaches.