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Record year for homicides in Tulsa; police take steps to reduce crime

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Addressing crime in Tulsa takes much more than targeting an address. As the homicide map shows, when it comes to murders, no section of the city is immune.

“We go where they go-- when the murder happens in north Tulsa that's where we'll go when it happens in south Tulsa that's where we'll go I think the map is exactly what you'll see its north south east and west," said Sgt. Dave Walker.

RELATED: Interactive map shows locations of homicides during record year

Police are taking steps to reduce crime in the area of 61st and Peoria, where 4 homicides happened this year.

Two years ago the city began looking at ways to make this section of town safer-- spending $100,000 on a study by the University of Cincinnati to look at policing methods. The findings included having officers dedicated to high crime areas.

A full time officer will patrol the area starting in January and that will be used as a model for the rest of the city.

“We have the vision that will start next year and as we grow our police department we expand our community based police efforts it will be a very good framework for that,” said Deputy chief Jonathan Brooks.

But just putting an officer here isn't the only idea police have for making this work. 

"Coming up with a strategic plan on the crime issues and then working in partnerships is going to be the key feature here," Brooks said.

Tulsa Police Department is working on implementing and expanding a community policing program-- so officers can take the time to get to know people in the areas where they serve.

One step toward reducing crime-- across the map.

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