[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6500225,"mediaKeyId","5596086-6421e4b860617243eea79337242d9d47","parentId",5596086,"title","Commissioners ask mayor's office for answers after downtown Denver Avenue boulder installation","audioSeconds",1032,"startMs",3202000,"endMs",4234000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5596086-6421e4b860617243eea79337242d9d47&start=3202&end=4234","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5596086-6421e4b860617243eea79337242d9d47/thumbnail_3202000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6500225/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Commissioners-ask-mayors-office-for-answers-after-downtown-Denver-Avenue-boulder-installation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500225-74121e5a1fed7586c55508e8ba89ebf5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770501827&Signature=Cbemt0C0ux0XMje6bEWO2d7krYC0bAc2SUzFZF0gWvmtwpOyBr4mHL3NRSfbqO~aQ01KEc3Sydy6-NncxH0kBkpKlIUBtXmuKdEZqLiRPO4wRg311i57BFIIQQkF31UH~DeeHOtnoQ5ZQPyaOjaSmRVuH37W6HT4HLNSdY25pbiYsPl-lT~Po2~6rP-VPKIJpVg7p7KJmAbmTwKCVHAGdklwtNYwgN1ufub4erWLtGfTC6RP1XIwbJaxRiG9GtKXdlxifsaeocpee6dMDcWASzBB78o~Fw890Jcu-JKCiuriPccyYgY-g-X0fBEDxhnrHG3CIDQKn2L8gAKy1jkNmg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tulsa","date","2025-08-18T15:30:00Z","article","Commissioner Barrows used the Human Rights Commission meeting on Aug. 18 to raise concerns about a recent installation of large boulders at the Denver Avenue transit station downtown, saying the rocks limit places where people can sit in the shade and called the placement an example of “hostile architecture.”

Barrows described the station as long used by people with nowhere else to be and said the boulders reduce access to shade and seating that had been available under the trees. Commissioners and staff discussed the mix of concerns raised in public meetings — safety complaints at the station, city efforts to respond to perceived loitering and a private-sector partner called Be Heard that runs shuttles to an off-site service location in the Admiral/Sheridan area.

Commissioners asked for more information before taking formal action. The commission's staff said the mayor held a community meeting on Aug. 1 and that the mayor and staff had described several goals for the work at the station, including safety and efforts to connect people to services. Commissioners requested a briefing from the mayor’s office (staff identified Emily Hall as a likely contact) and asked staff to invite a mayoral representative to a future HRC meeting. Commissioners also asked staff to request crime- and 911-call data for the area from Tulsa Police to better understand the safety rationale cited in public meetings.

Several commissioners said they support hearing administration perspectives and community-partner explanations (including how alternatives were considered) before recommending any formal HRC response. Commissioners suggested two next steps: (1) invite a staff representative from the mayor’s office to present background and current plans at the next meeting, and (2) gather specific crime and response data for the Denver Avenue station.

Why it matters
Commissioners framed the issue as one that intersects homelessness, public-safety concerns and civil-rights considerations. They also noted that built-environment changes that affect where people can be in public spaces can have outsized effects on people with few alternatives.

What’s next
Staff agreed to invite a mayoral representative (Emily Hall or another mayoral staffer) to return with an update and to request relevant police/call-for-service data for the station area. Commissioners said, if needed, they may convene a focused group of commissions and community partners to discuss alternatives and impacts.

Ending
The commission did not take a formal enforcement action at the meeting but requested the administration provide more detail so commissioners can consider whether HRC follow-up is appropriate.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tulsa - Human Rights Commission","oneSentenceSummary","A commissioner raised community concerns that large boulders placed at the Denver Avenue transit station constitute hostile architecture that limits access for people who are unhoused; the commission requested an update from the mayor's office and asked staff to invite an administration representative to the next meeting.","taxTitle","Tulsa, Tulsa County, Oklahoma","taxId",2682,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6500229,"HRC vice chair outlines Safe Move Tulsa plan and local mental-health crisis response",155,330000,485000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5596086-6421e4b860617243eea79337242d9d47&start=330&end=485","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5596086-6421e4b860617243eea79337242d9d47/thumbnail_330000.jpg","/articles/6500229/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/HRC-vice-chair-outlines-Safe-Move-Tulsa-plan-and-local-mental-health-crisis-response","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500229-b6894d1b50816aedfe588e3ef60a1f33/orig.mp4?Expires=1770501827&Signature=WoEmuOfKVP3vDvL8czl4eowaplkHtg8zPJwLiTH7uQ4~erRxIwXRYzVrvUrBFRuEjOprwWooRB12DXMNPWowhEusHI19ro7d-RXpCOlahueqj7BjQQT96xmV~HaL6oG8YFlTbNDi1omGCJI~ZI94XQMECKKHV0mk2es8GVUWlk24z9RmT2oTwjFmXpsmFR5wEtjkJbBvmH00MiOR7uZB9KDdNf2PgpXMJLp2SgnG-Rcbvqff54bq-PKLuUe85eg5DiVoJj9-MOwLDmeQPUQuFSwn5SrAqGY4U2SFKmMPHq5HdvSPDvqlBE5dxI~y29avqcfdIEeTpGGqKZ7-AxdZ-w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Vice Chair Commissioner France used the August 18 meeting of the Tulsa Human Rights Commission to summarize recent local work on homelessness and mental-health crisis response and to flag a pending City Council vote on a program called Safe Move Tulsa.

France said the city estimates roughly 1,500 people experiencing homelessness in Tulsa — about 1,000 in shelters and 500 living on the street. The Safe Move Tulsa proposal discussed at City Council would aim to house 150 people who are unsheltered and 150 people currently in shelters, pay each household’s rent for one year, and provide help connecting participants with employment and addiction or recovery services.

France provided a preliminary funding outline discussed in council materials: a total program cost of about $6 million, with roughly $2 million identified from COVID‑19 relief funds and the remaining $4 million proposed to come from opioid-settlement funds. Commissioners noted those funding sources were described in the council discussion and that final allocations remain the City Council’s decision.

Commissioners also heard summaries of local crisis‑response capabilities: Family and Children’s Services’ COPES clinicians have been embedded in the 911 dispatch center and, since March, helped divert calls that otherwise would have gone to police, fire or EMS — France cited roughly 560 diverted calls. COPES mobile-crisis teams responded to more than 4,500 calls in 2024, and the Tulsa sobering center was integrated into services at the Tulsa Urgent Recovery Center through Grand Mental Health, a development France described as an important addition to downtown crisis care.

France framed community needs around three priorities: “having someone to call, having someone to respond, and having somewhere to go.” Commissioners said ongoing work includes modernizing the complaint and service referral systems so residents in crisis can access help without unnecessary barriers.

Why it matters
Commissioners said the Safe Move proposal and expanded crisis teams represent operational steps the city is taking to address homelessness and behavioral-health crises. The HRC highlighted that codifying nondiscrimination protections and improving complaint processes are complementary efforts: legal protections without access to services and complaint mechanisms may not produce outcomes for affected residents.

What’s next
France and other commissioners said City Council will likely revisit Safe Move Tulsa and related funding decisions in the weeks following the meeting. Commissioners also plan continued work with city staff to modernize complaint filing and access to human‑rights and social‑service pathways.

Ending
Commissioners described the recent crisis-response expansions as encouraging but said they will monitor Council funding decisions and remain focused on improving access to services and complaint filing for residents affected by discrimination, homelessness and behavioral-health crises.","Vice Chair Commissioner France briefed the Human Rights Commission on local homelessness estimates, a proposed Safe Move Tulsa plan to house 300 people, and recent crisis-response expansions including COPES and the Tulsa sobering/urgent recovery center.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6500232,"Tulsa Human Rights Commission approves letter urging council to unify nondiscrimination language",1553,662000,2215000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5596086-6421e4b860617243eea79337242d9d47&start=662&end=2215","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5596086-6421e4b860617243eea79337242d9d47/thumbnail_662000.jpg","/articles/6500232/Tulsa/Tulsa-County/Oklahoma/Tulsa-Human-Rights-Commission-approves-letter-urging-council-to-unify-nondiscrimination-language","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6500232-bbe10c1f36ead2736d62a5aa29277aa1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770501827&Signature=GgFZgVQWefmefvUB44KKq-zeVkbdB~wlptdtHAVmsVrrYmn1LMjJN8QZrLIdo4PeIVNz09hoSUogRC5tuUAvJbtic66f~IlxmSuiHWxyPEilwBCU9eRuH0LElC4unOADcEudVq1iUnigoG4uWV2zGqehNJ0WBhHv8t9RfspEVYqVB7caIUKzfFKuX-qKuGwF3SuLQGvnQQCTQiL4lg4mFfh3nZzYdRhYUg5CKXSfIljxxA2ncA2YqzOTCxolNRWaI4HO0zp6Yh~YRkvDR13Xp4KnILlk2-YjASaf85ZbXRzMlFoo-mNax9GqvDMgQ33qZvyPMg2KZrHQK7NqiStmbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tulsa Human Rights Commission voted August 18 to approve a letter to the Tulsa City Council backing a proposed ordinance that would unify nondiscrimination language across public accommodations, housing and other city codes.

The motion to approve the draft — which commissioners said reflects the consensus in the commission's June discussion and the working group's recommendations — passed with a friendly set of amendments. Commissioners agreed to add brief factual language about how the commission oversees the local human-rights complaint process, and a short line saying the commission is available as a resource to councilors as they consider the ordinance.

Commissioners framed the letter as a measured step to inform council debate. Vice Chair Commissioner France described the goal as aligning “the anti-discrimination language that’s in the housing and employment and public accommodations and other city services” so protections across different city codes are consistent. Commissioners noted the draft aims to be concise and nonconfrontational while signaling the commission’s support.

Discussion focused on three themes: (1) the substance of the ordinance (adding gender identity and sexual orientation to public-accommodation protections while veteran status would be added for housing and public accommodations), (2) whether to include statistics or examples in the one-page letter, and (3) making the letter concrete about complaint access. Commissioners stressed that a short letter that signals unified, expert backing may be more effective than a lengthy document. Several commissioners said they expect advocates to also appear in person at the council hearing to provide detailed testimony.

Commissioners agreed to the amendments described in the meeting: add a sentence in the first paragraph offering the commission’s help as a resource to councilors, and add one sentence in the final paragraph that the commission — as the body that oversees the human-rights complaint process — “envisions a community in which every person has an equal opportunity to live without fear of discrimination,” and that passing the ordinance would ensure Tulsa residents can file complaints of discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation and veteran status. The commission voted to send the letter, as amended, to city council.

Votes at a glance
- Motion: Approve draft letter to Tulsa City Council supporting the proposed unified human-rights ordinance, with amendments as described. Outcome: approved (vote passed; recorded abstention).
- Related: commissioners encouraged members to sign up to speak at the council meeting on Sept. 10 when the ordinance is scheduled for consideration.

Why it matters
Commissioners said the change is largely procedural — aligning language so protections in housing, employment and public accommodations are consistent — but that codifying consistent language gives residents an explicit route to file complaints at the city level. Commissioners also discussed the limits of an ordinance without a streamlined complaint process and said modernizing complaint access will be a parallel, continuing project for the commission.

What’s next
The commission’s working group plans to finalize statistics and community examples for advocates and to make additional outreach to council members. Commissioners also discussed speaking in person at the City Council meeting when the ordinance appears on the September calendar.

Ending
The vote signals formal HRC support for the ordinance and commits the commission to serve as a resource to City Council as it considers the measure.","The Human Rights Commission voted to send a letter to Tulsa City Council urging adoption of a unified human-rights ordinance that would align protections across public accommodations, housing and other city codes; commissioners approved minor amendments to clarify complaint access and offer the commission as a resource to council.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners ask mayor's office for answers after downtown Denver Avenue boulder installation

HRC vice chair outlines Safe Move Tulsa plan and local mental-health crisis response

Tulsa Human Rights Commission approves letter urging council to unify nondiscrimination language